Tuesday 13 September 2022 10:29 PM Migrants stealing from shops and knocking on doors at night prompt town ... trends now
An influx of migrants into a Texas border town killing local pets, stealing from shops, and knocking on doors late at night has prompted residents to buy more weapons to defend themselves.
The Del Rio section of the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, has seen over 376,000 migrant encounters since October 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection, which doubles the number from the previous year.
One Eagle Pass resident said she taught her children to use tasers and other weapons to defend their family business.
'It's something that has had to be done because we don't know what can happen,' Laura Ramos told Fox News. 'We don't know these people or where they come from.'
Another resident said his youngest sister heard a knock on her bedroom window late at night.
'It's pretty scary,' he said. 'We're getting used to it already because unfortunately, nothing is really being done.'
Eagle Pass, Texas, residents have decided to arm themselves after a recent influx of migrants into the border town
The Del Rio section of the border, which includes Eagle Pass, has doubled its number of migrant encounters from the previous year to over 376,000 since October 2021
The town has three official border crossings, though the main entryway into the town has been the nearby Rio Grande
The town has three official border crossings on its western edge, though locals say migrants continue to cross the nearby Rio Grande.
One Eagle Pass business owner said she now closes her business at 7pm because she employs a staff comprised entirely of women.
'We now close at seven because it gets dark, people are walking around, all girls, you just never know,' she said.
She added that she now keeps 'several weapons' in the store to defend her employees.
A local who lives outside of downtown said migrants move out toward ranches to steal food.
'I live far from the downtown, but in that area, it's a lot of ranches, a lot of big properties,' they said.
They added that they were aware of some migrants who entered one property 'and in order to steal something, they killed the dogs.'
'They are like robbing stuff or killing animals to eat,' they said. 'That's what concerns me.'
Eagle Pass residents the influx of migrants has led to the killing of local animals and an increase in theft
Because so many migrants attempt to cross the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass, the town is also experiencing an increase in drownings. Fire Chief Manuel Mello says the town performs a daily body recovery
One resident says they have adjusted to the migrants in their town: 'We're getting used to it already because unfortunately, nothing is really being done'
A local identified as 'Cesar' said incoming
