Kassy Akiva embedded with Texas State troopers to witness the southern border crisis, touring the area by police cruiser, helicopter, and airboat.
With over 10 million illegal crossings recorded since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, the southern border faces an unprecedented challenge. In “Mexico’s Door,” a new documentary now streaming, Akiva highlights the chaos and Texas’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis.
During her visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, Akiva met a migrant whose wife gave birth after swimming across the Rio Grande, a rancher facing significant financial losses due to damaged fences, and members of the Texas National Guard and law enforcement officers on the front lines of border defense.
The documentary was filmed following Governor Greg Abbott’s directive under Operation Lone Star, which mobilized state resources to secure the border.
Texas State Trooper Jacklyn Gooding shared her experience of arresting a smuggler wanted for murder. “It was a pursuit when I tried to stop the car initially, and we were able to capture the two individuals involved in the smuggling event, as well as all the undocumented individuals,” Gooding said. “The suspects were armed, and the driver had an active warrant for murder out of Louisiana.”
Akiva also encountered a Venezuelan migrant who swam across the Rio Grande with a three-year-old child. The migrant explained that his wife went into labor after crossing and was taken to a hospital. Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety noted that it is common for pregnant women to time their crossings to ensure their children are born in the U.S.
Olivarez explained, “We see a lot of pregnant females crossing right when they are about to give birth. They’ll have the baby that same day, often at the river as they cross.”
Olivarez also highlighted how migrants use children to appeal to the compassion of law enforcement, saying, “They know there is a human side to us.”
Akiva toured Shelby Park, a critical area in the border struggle, which Governor Abbott placed under state control. Apprehensions of illegal migrants in the Del Rio sector dropped significantly after state personnel took over. Thirteen Republican governors later joined Abbott at Shelby Park to express support for his efforts, and 14 states have sent personnel to aid Texas.
On an airboat tour of the Rio Grande, Florida and Texas troopers informed Akiva that the area near Eagle Pass averages one drowning per day. Texas has increased barriers to prevent water crossings, but federal efforts have lagged. While on the boat, Akiva’s team spotted a raft on the Mexican side of the river, which was removed by Mexican troops after being alerted by Texas authorities.
From a helicopter, Akiva observed clothing left behind by migrants who climbed over razor wire fences after swimming across the Rio Grande.
The documentary also highlights the struggles of Texas rancher Wayne King, who has suffered over $400,000 in losses due to migrants cutting his fences, allowing exotic animals to escape. King expressed frustration, stating, “Why are they destroying water troughs, windmills, fences? Why don’t they just cross the bridge where they can get government assistance?”
King commended Governor Abbott’s efforts to protect border communities. “Abbott is doing his utmost best to protect us here on the border,” he said. “It’s just crazy when our state is trying to protect us, but our federal government is working against the state.”
