Rumors of ‘open border’ on International Migrants Day sparks border rush

US Border Patrol agents were forced to push back a sudden surge of migrants trying to cross the besieged southern border Wednesday — after a social media rumor on International Migrants Day sparked a frantic rush.

The agency warned that misinformation about an “open border” was being spread online early Wednesday, likely by human smugglers, urging migrants to undertake the dangerous trip to try and enter illegally through the El Paso crossing, according to Border Report.

“Rumors circulating on social media that areas between the ports of entry on the southwest border will be open for migration due to the International Migrants Day are patently false,” the Border Patrol said in a statement to try and dissuade migrants from making the trek.

International Migrants Day, which comes on Dec. 18, is a day to raise awareness of the contributions made by migrant communities across the world. It does not signify open borders of any kind.

Officials from the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector warned that human smugglers, known as coyotes, were spreading the rumors with the goal of luring migrants to pay for their services in entering the US.

The campaign sparked a sudden to the US-Mexico border.

One such group was spotted Wednesday morning crossing the Rio Grande before being turned back by razor wire barriers and members of the Texas National Guard.

A group of migrants was also allegedly hit by pepper spray and balls trying to enter the US, according to a report from Juarez, with video showing the group coughing and struggling to breathe as they hurried away from the border.

Another group was seen approaching the El Paso crossing further downstream of the Rio Grande, but the migrants quickly dispersed after an approaching helicopter kicked up a dust storm.

This was not the first time online rumors spurred a rush to the US, with a similar incident occurring in February 2023 as hundreds of migrants were tricked to show up at Gate 36 in El Paso over the promise of bus trips to Canada.

The Border Patrol urged migrants not to fall for such ploys, reminding them that the trip to El Paso is extremely dangerous, citing 176 deaths and 981 rescues during the latest fiscal year.