Local law enforcement agencies lending resources to help feds with migrant surge

More and more migrants coming into the U.S. has led local law enforcement to lend resources to federal agencies operating at the border.

El Paso Police tell ABC-7 when the calls come in, they’re able to help, but it comes at a cost. ​

“It’s going to tax our resources. We’re already sometimes short staffed on officers,” said Sgt. Enrique Carrillo, a spokesperson for the El Paso Police Department.

Lending resources pushes back other calls from local residents, causing officers to prioritize and reorganize resources.

Carrillo said officers have a hunch there are three areas in El Paso causing concern for local and federal law enforcement: Central El Paso, West El Paso and the Lower Valley.

Officers seen along the international boundary from Executive Center Boulevard to Yarbrough Drive have been assigned to Operation Stonegarden, a federal grant program from the Department of Homeland Security.

Border Patrol agents work with El Paso police and tell them what areas are in need of assistance.
“We assist to enforce human trafficking and drug trafficking laws,” Carrillo said.

“I think it just provides another law enforcement presence by utilizing this funding for overtime,” said County Commissioner Vince Perez.

The grant funding now goes to eight different local law enforcement agencies. $22 million has been lent to the agencies since it started in 2009.

Carrillo said El Paso police officers will enforce the Texas Penal Code, not immigration laws.

The El Paso Police Department does not have the official numbers of cases officers are called on involving federal law enforcement agencies.

“This would be something new because we haven’t seen the influx, I don’t think ever, at least as long as I’ve been here,” Carrillo said.

Commissioner Perez said Stonegarden funding will be brought up in commissioner’s court on Monday.

County leaders will vote on $4.3 million of funding from the government that does not need to be matched.