The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will be suspending operations at international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, in response to the recent surge in smuggling organizations using freight trains to transport migrants through Mexico to the US border. The decision comes as CBP aims to redirect personnel to assist the overwhelmed US Border Patrol in taking migrants into custody.

CBP officials released a statement on Sunday, stating that the agency is mobilizing all available resources to safely process migrants due to the increased levels of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border. The statement also highlighted the role of smugglers who are spreading disinformation to exploit vulnerable individuals. CBP has observed a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations utilizing freight trains to transport migrants through Mexico, prompting the agency to take additional actions to address this concerning development. CBP is also working in partnership with Mexican authorities to tackle the issue.

The decision to suspend operations at the international railway crossing bridges comes after a video surfaced showing thousands of migrants lined up along railroad tracks as a freight train passed nearly three hours south of Eagle Pass, Texas. Border Patrols have been overwhelmed by the unprecedented numbers of migrants. Last Tuesday, over 10,000 migrants were encountered in a single day, breaking previous records. The situation remains at overwhelming levels for agents in the field.

The Biden administration has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, as well as state and local officials, who argue that the president has not provided enough resources to address the border crisis. In response, the administration claims that it is dealing with a hemisphere-wide crisis and has requested additional funding and comprehensive immigration reform from Congress to fix the “broken” system. The administration is seeking an additional $14 billion in emergency supplemental funding, including $1.4 billion for shelter and services for migrants released from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody. Congress has yet to approve the funding, as Republican lawmakers demand greater restrictions on asylum and humanitarian parole, a stance that some Democrats reject. Negotiations are ongoing among Senate Democrats, Republicans, and the Biden administration to resolve the gridlock, with President Biden expressing openness to "significant compromises."

In response to CBP's announcement, officials stated that the suspension of operations is intended to redirect personnel to assist Border Patrol in taking migrants into custody. CBP plans to adjust its operational plans to enhance enforcement efforts against non-US citizens attempting to use illegal pathways or processes to enter the country, as well as those remaining in the US without a legal basis. This decision follows previous operational adjustments made by CBP to respond, process, and enforce consequences. Vehicular processing remains suspended at Eagle Pass International Bridge 1 in Eagle Pass, while San Ysidro's Pedestrian West Operations in San Diego, California, and the Lukeville Port of Entry in Lukeville, Arizona, remain closed.

The situation at the southern border continues to evolve, with CBP and other agencies working to address the challenges posed by smuggling organizations and the influx of migrants. Adam Shaw of Fox News Digital contributed to this comprehensive report.