06-02-2025
Understanding what everyday life is for law enforcement near the Texas/Mexico border
TERRELL COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – In part two of our three-part series, we took a trip to the Texas/Mexico border to gain a better understanding of the issues there and to learn more about what law enforcement who patrol near the border go through daily.
'We don't really have crime here in Terrell County,' says Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland. ' The biggest problem we have is the border and border security.'
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There are around 50 border patrol agents that work out of the Sanderson station who cover over 90 miles across the border scanning for any illegal migrants that may pass through. During shifts there can be from three to four agents working at one time patrolling different areas.
While out in the field, these law enforcement officers look for clues in their areas that may show an illegal migrant is near or at one point in the area. Signs that they look for are footprints, damaged branches, if they hear any type of noise or the smell of smoke to name a few.
To understand the areas that illegal migrants travel through, we hit the road with Sheriff Cleveland to see part of the journey firsthand and learn about the reasons some people are wanting to cross the border.
'Out here in Terrell County, we don't see what you've seen happening down in Eagle Pass or out in El Paso,' says Sheriff Cleveland. 'What we have out here are still people from the country of Mexico that are looking to come north to work. A lot of them are going to Santa Maria, California if they're from the state of Guerrero. We catch people from Hidalgo that are going to Dallas-Fort Worth area and people from Guanajuato that are going to the Houston area. But with that being said, mainly males, mainly adult Mexican males. We will see some females, not a whole lot, and we will see some juveniles. But it's not you hear a lot in the media about unaccompanied juveniles. The juveniles we typically catch are accompanied by a brother, a cousin, an uncle, or a parent.'
Although some cross over for a better life and opportunity, cartel operations near the border still have a strong influence on illegal migration.
'Every bit of the U.S.-Mexico border is controlled by the cartel,' says Sheriff Cleveland. Even out here in Terrell County. Now, our portion of the border has historically kind of been controlled by the Zetas, but it's kind of loosely controlled because back when we had narcotics passing through, marijuana, the Michoacano's were passing it through. Of course, you have La Lina over in Ojinaga that's right now battling for some of that land from the Juarez cartel. But out here, we're kind of in that no man's land. It's been controlled by the Zetas. They control Acuna, but it is controlled, but it's kind of loosely controlled.'
After driving for nearly an hour, we made a stop at the Rio Grande or Big River as this is a key area where illegal migrants cross to enter the United States. Sheriff Cleveland said that from there it is a two day walk through the desert until they reach the highway.
Once near the highway, illegal migrants wait for their ride while waiting in the bushes, resting until they receive a message that they have arrived.
Sheriff Cleveland said he believes that with President Donald Trump in office and more military present at the border, Terrell County may see an increase in activity as people try and sneak through.
'We've kind of slowed down the last two years,' says Sheriff Cleveland. 'So, you know, historically, about 1,000 apprehensions, 1,000 getaways out in this area that Border Patrol makes. The first year of the Biden administration, that activity shot up significantly. The second year, we had a 417% increase when compared to the last year of Trump in apprehensions and a 467% increase in getaways. As President Trump secures more of the border, puts more military force along the border, I really anticipate that you'll see more activity out in this area because it'll, it'll push people out to this area, and I think we'll get busier than we've ever been.'
Tomorrow, we will speak with Sheriff Cleveland about possible solutions to this crisis. Join us for that and more at 6:00 p.m. on ABC Big 2 News.
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