EAGLE PASS, Texas – Jan 29,  (V7N)— Armed troops patrolling the streets and riverbanks of Eagle Pass, Texas, have become a daily reality as the Biden-Trump transition intensifies the long-running border security debate. With former President Donald Trump back in office, his decision to declare a "national emergency" at the U.S.-Mexico border has set the stage for thousands of additional troops to be deployed to Texas.

Even before Trump's move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch Republican and Trump ally, had already bolstered troop presence in Eagle Pass, arguing that the Biden administration failed to protect the state from what he called a migrant “invasion.” Reinforcements from Republican-led states soon followed, turning the once-tranquil Shelby Park into a fortified military zone lined with shipping containers, patrolling Humvees, and fan boats scanning the Rio Grande.

Mixed Reactions from Local Residents

The increased military presence has drawn mixed reactions from the people of Eagle Pass. Some residents, like Maria Aquado, a 25-year-old who lives on a ranch near the border, feel safer with more troops on the ground.

“With him (Trump) sending troops this way, there would just be less activity,” Aquado said. “I think we would feel a bit safer being in the ranch and not have to worry about who’s going to be coming through and what their intentions are.”

Others, however, see the troop deployment as political theater rather than an effective solution to migration. Jessie Fuentes, a longtime resident and business owner, believes the military buildup has done little to actually control the border.

“It’s only five to six miles long. Everywhere else is open, so if (Abbott) thinks that made a difference, he has no idea,” said Fuentes, whose family has lived in the region for more than 200 years.

Border Crossings Drop, But Uncertainty Remains

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data shows that border encounters with migrants crossing from Mexico spiked to 250,000 in December 2023 but dropped significantly to around 54,000 in September 2024. The decline has been attributed to tougher Biden-era immigration policies, including stricter asylum rules and increased pressure on transit countries like Mexico and Panama to curb migration.

Still, Trump’s renewed focus on border security has reignited debates over the role of military force in managing migration. While some, like Ismael Castillo, acknowledge concerns over migrants trespassing and damaging property, he also believes most are simply seeking a better future.

“At the end of the day, they mean no harm,” Castillo said. “They just want to better their lives and make something better for them and their families.”

A Political and Humanitarian Divide

Fuentes, who operates a kayaking business on the Rio Grande, said his business has suffered due to the military buildup and restrictions in the area. He criticized the continued presence of National Guard troops, arguing that cooperation between governments, rather than militarization, is the only real solution.

“They started using these poor, innocent individuals (migrants) as political pawns to win an election,” Fuentes said. “They won... It’s over, and now you can leave.”

As Trump’s administration moves forward with its border crackdown, Eagle Pass remains at the heart of America’s ongoing immigration battle, where the tension between security, politics, and humanitarian concerns continues to shape daily life.

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