Chief Michael W. Banks, a leader within the U.S. Border Patrol, posted a series of updates on his social media account in February 2026 regarding recent enforcement actions and border security developments.
On February 12, 2026, Banks reported the apprehension of two individuals attempting to cross the border illegally near the Paso del Norte Port of Entry. In his post, he stated: "Disguises won’t fool us! Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector apprehended two illegal aliens attempting to blend in as construction workers near the Paso del Norte Port of Entry. Despite desperate smuggling tactics like these, the reality is that the border is closed."
The following day, Banks described another incident involving suspected cartel activity. On February 13, 2026, he wrote: "They thought they were watching us - turns out, we were watching them. Two Mexican nationals suspected of scouting for a criminal cartel network were caught monitoring USBP. Agents recovered surveillance equipment and two-way radios. They are in custody pending prosecution and"
Later on February 13, Banks commented on broader trends at the border: "Americans were told a secure border wasn’t possible. In less than a year, that narrative has been proven wrong. Illegal crossings are down to levels not seen in decades. Catch-and-release is over. Border Patrol Agents are back in the field enforcing the law, and criminal"
These statements come amid ongoing national debate about U.S.-Mexico border security policies and enforcement strategies. Recent years have seen fluctuating numbers of migrant encounters at southern border crossings and increased scrutiny of both smuggling operations and federal response measures.
