23 migrants rescued from northeast El Paso stash house, officials say

EL PASO, Texas -- A multi-agency effort lead to the rescue of 23 migrants from a northeast El Paso home.

Officials say the victims were being held against their will and threatened. The undocumented immigrants were from Guatemala, Ecuador and Mexico.

Officials say 23-year-old Samuel Nuvila Briones and 54-year-old Salvador Ramirez Montes were taken into federal custody and processed at the El Paso County Detention facility.

“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of these victims, not their immigration status,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey. “These victims endure so many frightening situations along their journey moving up towards the United States, only to find themselves being threatened with violence or become victims of violent acts. I would like to thank USBP, EPPD, and the Tigua Tribal Police for their assistance in this ongoing investigation.”