330 migrants apprehended at remote US border post

Another large group of migrants are in custody after showing up at a remote border crossing in southwestern New Mexico.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the 330 Central Americans were apprehended early Monday at the Antelope Wells port of entry, 122 miles (197 kilometers) west of El Paso, Texas.

This marks the second large group to be arrested near the port in less than a week. On Friday, agents arrested 290 Central Americans who entered the country illegally.

The latest group arrived as President Donald Trump was preparing to hold a rally in El Paso as the fight over border security and immigration policy looms.

In all, CBP said 28 groups of more than 100 people have been apprehended in the area since Oct. 1. The groups have included families and unaccompanied juveniles.

Last Friday, February 8th, U.S. Border Patrol agents have 290 Central Americans who entered the country illegally near a port of entry in a remote area of southwestern New Mexico.

Customs and Border Protection said the migrants arrested early Friday near Antelope Wells 122 miles (197 kilometers) west of El Paso, Texas, were from Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras and that they included a boy who appeared to be ill and who was taken to a hospital for treatment.

CBP said over 27 groups of more than 100 people have been apprehended in the area in the fiscal year that started Oct. 1.

It is unclear what’s driving the uptick of large groups in remote areas but families make up a large and growing percentage of arrests across the border.

Here’s a link to an ABC-7 special report on smuggling in the southern New Mexico desert.