Latest news with #ThaddeusCleveland
Fox News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Texas border sheriff says illegal crossings have seen ‘dramatic decline' as CA migrant center shuts down
A Texas sheriff, whose county shares 54 miles of the U.S. southern border with Mexico, told Fox News Digital he has seen a "dramatic decline" in illegal migrant crossings since President Donald Trump took office, specifically, a sharp decrease in the last two weeks. "Since President Trump took over, we have seen a continued decline in apprehensions," Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland told Fox. "This past two-week period, we should have been busier because it coincides with the full moon cycle, that's usually when we see more activity in our area." The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed earlier this month that April year-over-year apprehensions at the border were down 93%. CBP reported 129,000 apprehensions in April 2024 under the Biden administration, compared to 8,383 this past month under Trump. "You know, during the Biden administration, we saw, just like the rest of the U.S.-Mexico border, record levels of crossings and gotaways in our county," Cleveland explained. "We also saw record levels of deaths from people trying to enter the United States. So that was definitely a challenge for us when you talk about the 10th largest county in the state of Texas, just over 2300 square miles, 54 miles of river." Trump border czar Tom Homan weighed in on the dramatic decrease in illegal crossings, telling Fox News Digital last week that the U.S. border "is the most secure in the nation's history." "The way we did it, that we got a president in the White House, a strong president, who simply ruled a lot of [Executive Orders], the same [Executive Orders] that were proved effective in Trump 45, remain in Mexico, third state country agreements, ending catch and release, and continue building border barriers," Homan told Fox. Cleveland's comments come days after a San Diego immigrant center shut down due to an "unprecedented decrease in illegal crossings this year." "In 3/2025, San Diego Sector arrested 1,199 illegal aliens with an average of 38 per day. This was a 186% drop compared to 3/2024," the U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector posted to X on Sunday. Cleveland noted there might be additional facility closures if illegal crossing numbers continue to plummet. "As the border activity becomes slower and we see less and less crossings, we're starting to see Border Patrol close more of these south side of facilities," the Texas sheriff added. "We don't have any out here in our area of West Texas. The closest one we had was down in Eagle Pass." "There's no reason to spend that money to keep those open, and they can definitely use that money in other parts of the border." Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to and on X @MizellPreston
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Is there a solution to fixing border issues? West Texas sheriff weighs in
TERRELL COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Hearing and seeing how law enforcement operates near the southern border was an eye-opening experience, especially understanding the journey that illegal migrants take once they cross over into the United States. However, stopping illegal migration is the main goal. Is there a solution to combat this decade's long issue? In short Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland says most definitely as he's seen President Donald Trump already making an impact since being sworn in. Before looking at any immigration reform or looking at changing immigration laws, Sheriff Cleveland explains that making sure security at the border should be main priority first. 'If we don't secure the border first,' says Sheriff Cleveland. 'People are just going to continue to come in and come in. And when we try to make these laws, it's, we can make them, but it's going to have an impact.' Going forward, some solutions that Sheriff Cleveland suggested were adding more infrastructure along the border such as the fencing system along the wall, adding more roads, technology, having a bigger law enforcement presence, and strict consequences for those who ignore legal immigration policies. We asked Sheriff Cleveland how confident he is in the Trump administration to finding a solution to the border issues he had this to say: 'I think we'll be able to get some legislation through that will not only secure the border,' says Sheriff Cleveland. 'But also have an impact on some of those immigration laws that we can see change to make the border more safe and secure.' As talks have continued among United States and Mexican leaders regarding security at the southern border, hundreds of Mexican soldiers were recently stationed at the border with the United States. This after an agreement was made by the two neighboring countries that halted U.S. Tariffs on Mexican imports. Mexico has been charged with helping to stem the flow of illegal migrants as well as the trafficking of fentanyl across the southern border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
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.' 'Unlike anything we've ever seen': West Texas Sheriff tells us what's really going on 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
