U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Paso Sector, stationed at Las Cruces, apprehended 37 undocumented migrants hidden inside a tractor-trailer during a routine inspection at the Interstate-25 checkpoint on Sunday.
Agents reported hearing movement near the rear door of the trailer and saw individuals attempting to crouch behind freight. Further investigation revealed 37 migrants hiding inside the cargo trailer without proper documentation.
The migrants, originating from countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, and Ecuador, were taken into custody and transported to the Central Processing Center for further processing under Title 8 authority.
During Fiscal Year 2024, El Paso Sector Agents disrupted 24 tractor-trailer smuggling events involving 387 migrants. In fiscal year 2025 so far, they have intercepted four significant operations resulting in the apprehension of 97 undocumented migrants.
El Paso Sector Border Patrol frequently encounters smuggling tactics by transnational criminal organizations that include concealing migrants in commercial vehicles. Smuggling large groups in tractor trailers poses extreme dangers due to inadequate safety measures. Individuals are often crammed into confined spaces without seat belts or adequate ventilation and climate control, experiencing dangerously high temperatures in summer and freezing conditions in winter.
“Smuggling organizations exploit migrants with false promises of safe passage and easy entry, but illegal entry into the United States often involves tactics that not only violate U.S. immigration laws but also endanger lives,” said El Paso Sector Chief Anthony Scott Good. “We remain focused on enforcing immigration laws, holding smugglers accountable, and applying consequences to those who cross the border illegally or attempt to circumvent the legal immigration process.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection encourages community assistance by reporting suspicious activity anonymously to the U.S. Border Patrol at 1-800-635-2509.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: it is the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The more than 65,000 men and women of CBP protect America on land, air, and sea while facilitating safe travel and trade to ensure economic prosperity. They enhance national security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.
