Negras border as a caravan of over 1,800 people arrived in Piedras Negras Coahuila looking to cross into the United States.

The group was intercepted by Mexican authorities, who assisted them and within two weeks had dispersed the majority of the group to different locations and even deported many back to their country of origin.

During that time, immigration officials on both sides of the border did see an increase of undocumented immigrants attempting to cross into the U.S. by any means necessary.

It’s estimated that over 70 people were rescued from the Rio Grande River during this time. U.S Border Patrol statistics for the Del Rio Sector -which includes Maverick County - has seen a surge of undocumented immigrants being apprehended during the first five months of the fiscal year 2019 (Oct-Feb) as compared to the previous year.

During this time period, there was a 497% increase in Family Units apprehended going from 933 during 2018 to 5,569 in 2019. Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) apprehensions through the Del Rio Sector also saw an 88% increase as compared to the same time in 2018. During 2018 (Oct- Feb) there were 483 UAC’s detained, while in 2019 there have already been 881.

The totals just reflect the amount of UAC and Family Units apprehended and does not include individual apprehensions.