EL PASO, Texas — According to Customs and Border Protection, a large group of migrants breached Texas National Guard barricades around 11 a.m. Thursday near Midway Drive and Loop 375 in El Paso.

In a statement, CBP said, “It wouldn’t be operationally feasible for Border Patrol to apprehend all of the people there before they cross the barbed wire.”

Migrants were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the adjacent border wall and subsequently transported to the central processing station. Families and children were prioritized by agents for processing.

CBP issued the following statement: 

“There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States immigration laws. Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal, and are subject to a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission and potential criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization.

"As of 3 p.m. local time, all migrants from this group have been moved from the site. Additional personnel have been deployed to the scene, and the situation is under control. The U.S. Border Patrol continues to monitor the situation and has increased patrols in the area.”

According to the El Paso Times, migrants told reporters that National Guard soldiers forcefully push them back behind razor wire in U.S. territory, leading to skirmishes between soldiers and migrants. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addressed breach on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, writing, "The TX National Guard & Dept. of Public Safety quickly regained control & are redoubling the razor wire barriers. DPS is instructed to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for criminal trespass & destruction of property."