Downtown El Paso, Texas has recently seen a surge in migrants amid shifts in U.S. policy, according to reports from DEA News. The government is moving to end Chapter 42, a health-related public health authority first implemented in May during the prior administration, which allowed certain expulsions of migrants when conditions of potential exposure to disease were deemed high. As this policy winds down, communities along the border are monitoring how processing and sheltering of migrants will change in the weeks ahead, and local authorities are preparing for possible increases in demand for housing, services, and legal guidance. (Attribution: DEA News)
With the policy transition, a sizable number of migrants who had been waiting for the fate of Article 42 have faced housing and sanitation challenges as they navigate a rapidly shifting legal and logistical landscape. Observers report that groups have formed in public spaces around central El Paso, where days and nights have brought people together near churches and community centers. In the vicinity of Sacred Heart Church, for example, as many as 1,700 individuals have been observed sleeping outdoors under blankets and makeshift coverings, highlighting the pressing need for safe shelter and consistent access to basic sanitation. (Attribution: DEA News)
Community leaders note that many migrants are hoping to receive additional immigration or travel documentation as the policy changes take effect. While congregations and aid organizations have long offered support to those in transit, the current situation has intensified the demand for coordinated assistance, including legal aid, access to translation services, and information about next steps. Migrants began gathering at churches roughly a month ago, and a noticeable concentration has emerged in the past week. The majority of those observed in these gatherings are young men from Venezuela, though there are also women and children present. Some individuals have previously been returned to the United States and are seeking different pathways to remain, a dynamic that underscores the complexity of immigration enforcement and humanitarian support in border communities. (Attribution: DEA News)
Earlier reports indicated a large caravan of migrants, estimated at about 3,000 people from Central and South America, which had moved north along the corridor from Tapachula in southern Mexico toward the U.S. border. The caravan movement has prompted discussions among policymakers, border authorities, and humanitarian groups about processing capacity, shelter options, and safety standards for those traveling and awaiting decisions. Local agencies are coordinating with national counterparts to monitor the evolving situation, ensure humane treatment, and reduce risks associated with crowded conditions, particularly as weather and crowd dynamics change with the season. (Attribution: DEA News)