U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the arrest of over 12 migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally via the El Paso Sector area. These individuals, who have previous criminal convictions or histories, are facing prosecution under Title 8 and will be deported.

According to a CBP press release, those apprehended included sex offenders, child predators, and drug traffickers. Others had histories of illegal possession of firearms, assault, domestic violence, burglary, and association with gangs or Mexican drug cartels.

The CBP stated that the migrants had affiliations with La Linea, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Artistas Asesinos, Cartel de Los Soles, and MS-13.

Fox News reported that these arrests coincided with the apprehension of another illegal immigrant, Jose Ibarra. Ibarra was arrested in connection with the death of Augusta University student Laken Riley. Riley’s body was discovered by the University of Georgia Police with "visible injuries" in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick.

El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good said in the press release: "El Paso Sector agents work tirelessly to protect our border communities. Many times, our agents encounter migrants entering illegally into the United States who were previously removed due to criminal convictions." He continued: "Most often these individuals know that if arrested by Border Patrol they will face incarceration once again. Therefore they attempt to evade arrest. We continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold these criminals accountable."

The press release also clarified that CBP is part of the Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for managing and protecting national borders. The agency also supervises customs, immigration, security and agricultural protection at ports of entry.