Antelope Wells has seen more than 2,000 migrants in three months: USA Today

Antelope Wells, the remote port of entry in New Mexico where 7-year-old Jakelin Caal crossed, has had more than 2,000 migrants cross in the past three months, according to a USA Today report.

USA Today cited a conference call with Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan Tuesday. McAleenan toured the Antelope Wells and Lordsburg stations Tuesday with lawmakers.

The Antelope Wells port of entry regularly sees about 30 vehicles a day, according to the USA Today report.

The paper wrote the area had eight groups of 100 migrants or more show up from October 2017 to September 2018, the government’s fiscal year. As of Tuesday 20 groups of more than 100 migrants have crossed in that area, according to the newspaper, including Jakelin’s group.

USA Today cited McAleenan describing 257 migrants turning themselves in at Antelope Wells on December 15 and 239 migrants on December 17 and 18.

The Associated Press reports McAleenan said the port of entry appears to be part of a smuggling route.

USA Today wrote McAleenan explained smugglers seem to be bussing people from Guatemala to New Mexico, reaching the border in just four to five days.

“This is a brand new phenomenon that’s really challenging our resources,” McAleenan told reporters on the conference call.

McAleenan is reviewing region staffing and importing help from other Homeland Security agencies, according to USA Today. The newspaper also said McAleenan may request more help from the Department of Defense, which has already deployed 6,000 active-duty and 2,000 National Guard Troops.