U.S. Border Patrol increases surveillance in El Paso sector

U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) has intensified surveillance in the El Paso sector, utilizing drones and all-terrain vehicles to monitor the border with Mexico. Authorities stated that real-time coordination between drone pilots and ground agents aims to intercept groups attempting to evade detection. Recent enforcement actions include the arrest of two women in the desert and four individuals during a smuggling attempt in Fort Hancock, Texas.

Data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicates a significant decrease in irregular crossings in the El Paso sector. During the first eleven months of fiscal year 2026, there were 15,791 irregular crossings, a 65.5 percent reduction compared to the same period in fiscal year 2025.

Simultaneously, increased enforcement activities are facing local opposition. A survey conducted by Change Research and published by the ACLU of Texas found that 63 percent of respondents in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics have gone too far. The study reported that nearly half of participants or their acquaintances have been detained or questioned regarding immigration status, and 53 percent of residents feel the increased presence of federal and local law enforcement makes daily life more difficult without increasing community safety.