On March 21, hundreds of illegal migrants stormed the border crossing at El Paso, injuring several Texas National Guardsmen before being corralled and “processed” by the Border Patrol. Since then, an unknown number of the offenders have been arrested under charges ranging from “riot participation” to assault and criminal mischief. So far, so good.
EXCEPT, yesterday — Easter 2024 — a Texas judge released on their own recognizance all of those charged with rioting. In addition, later in the day, another judge, Judge Antonio Aun, ordered the release of two migrants charged with criminal mischief. The fate of those charged with assault is unclear. (Theoretically, migrants placed on ICE immigration detainers — an unknown number — will continue to be held.)
Judge Humberto Acosta blamed the El Paso District Attorney’s Office for not being ready to proceed with detention hearings for each defendant. Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Martinez asked for a continuance, but Acosta denied it.
Meanwhile, Texas has sent 700 National Guard soldiers to El Paso, to bolster border protection and replace rolls of damaged razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande.
For more, see the El Paso Times.