Eight individuals allegedly cross illegally through a hole at the Calexico border fence

El Centro Border Patrol Sector said people cutting holes through the border fence on the Mexico side is an issue they deal with daily.

Thursday morning a group of eight individuals used this tactic to cross into Calexico’s downtown area.

CBP said there has been more than 920 border fence breaches this fiscal year alone.

CBP said eight individuals allegedly crossed illegally into the United States through a hole that had been cut through the fence.

Photos were captured of the hole and the people trying to cross, which were mostly woman.

CBP says four of the individuals were apprehended and three of them were able to flee into the U.S.
“Especially in the downtown area of Calexico, it’s a very common smuggling tactic. They are very close to residential housing, to commercial buildings where they can blend in with the public in a very timely manner,” said Carlos Pitones, CBP agent.

“It’s mostly cutting through the fence, that section of the fence in that area is very old, it’s dilapidated and it’s easily breached by smugglers on the Mexico side,” said Pitones.

CBP said this fiscal year they have spent nearly $500,000 dollars in fence repairs in Calexico.

According to CBP, they have yet to see any breaches in the newly updated bollard style fence that’s located by the Gran Plaza Outlets in Calexico.
They said there are plans to update the old style fence in the Calexico downtown area where most of the illegal crossings are happening.