Mexico surges troops to the border to stop 'Way of the Cross' migrant caravan of 2,000 from reaching Texas

Hundreds of federal, state and local Mexican law enforcement have arrived on the border near El Paso, Texas to prevent a migrant caravan with an estimated 2,000 people from reaching the US.

Mexican officials paraded federal immigration agents and other law enforcement officers in front of cameras this week in Juarez, the Mexican city just south of El Paso.

The show of force is part of an on-going agreement between President Joe Biden and Mexico's president for Mexico to do its part in securing the border and has been used in January as well. 

At least 200 National Migration Institute or INM agents have been activated to cut off a group of 2,000 migrants calling themselves the 'Way of the Cross' caravan left Chiapas, Mexico last week and are closing in on the US.

About 1,000 migrants had already reached Chihuahua City, which is a few hours drive or a few days walk, the main form of transportation for most migrants, from Texas, El Paso district attorney Bill Hicks revealed.

Mexico surges law enforcement to the border to stop migrants from reaching El Paso, Texas

200 Mexican federal agents are now in Juarez, just south of El Paso

The operation is part of an agreement between the US and Mexico

As part of the security operation, checkpoints were set up in the town of Jimenez, reported Mexican media outlets. 

Cars and buses are being checked to make sure migrants headed to the border were taken into custody with the final goal of deporting them. 

A special response team was dispatched to Gate 36, a marker at the border wall in El Paso where a migrant riot broke out March 21.

'We have a group of close to 1,000 that's left Chihuahua City that is making its way to El Paso with instructions to go to Gate 36,' El Paso's DA, who is prosecuting over 200 migrants charged in the stampede, stated earlier this week. 

'I'm concerned that if we don't send that message that you can't come to Gate 36 or some other place in El Paso and perpetrate violence to get into the United States, that we can stop them.' 

The migrant stampede last month turned violent as migrants overpowered Texas National Guard members, stomping on troops, punching one in the face, and trying to wrestle away the gun from another Texas official. 

After storming Texas National Guard troops, migrants forced their way to an area of the border wall known as Gate 36 in El Paso, Texas

Nine migrants have been charged as instigators for planning and leading the riot, Texas officials stated

PICTURED: Junior Evaristo-Benitez, 21, of Honduras, was taken into custody and charged with assault on a public servant, a 3rd degree felony, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed

Nine migrants are facing state felony charges for planning and leading the chaos, while another 200 are charges for simply following along.

At least a dozen more will face federal charges as well. 

The caravan is being led by Mexican activists who are coordinating with churches to help the mostly South American migrants reach the US-Mexico international boundary.

The activists are hoping to shield the migrants from being targeted by criminals or corrupt cops who extort already penniless migrants crossing through Mexico. 

Across the border from El Paso, Texas, shelters are preparing for their arrival. 

'We are in contact with people and personnel in migrant shelters in southern Mexico,' Rev. Francisco Bueno Guillen, director of Casa del Migrante shelter in Juarez told KTSM.

'They say many people have come into the country recently and are being joined by others already there. And yes, they are coming to Juarez.' 

A group of 2,000 calling themselves the 'Way of the Cross' caravan left Chiapas, Mexico earlier this week and is marching towards Texas 

The caravan calls itself the 'Way of the Cross' and is being led by activists

Migrants, including children, advance in a caravan on their way to the United States from Tapachula, Mexico, on March 25

Some 2,000 migrants are estimated to be headed to the US and arriving in days

Mexican activists are traveling with the migrants to offer protection from criminals and bad cops who extort and sometimes even kidnap migrants

In that border city, migrant shelters are already at 75% capacity. 

These migrants are expected to surrender to US Border Patrol once they reach the US, as many are seeking asylum.

'We continue to marshal all available resources and be aware of the trends,' El Paso Catholic Diocese Bishop Mark J. Seitz told Border Report. 

'El Paso has shown itself to be very able to gear up when the surge comes and provide a safe and orderly way for those who have been permitted to come in to find a secure situation and continue on their path.'

However Texas officials have also reinforced the border crossing in El Paso where migrants normally surrender to Border Patrol. 

Additionally Texas National Guard members arrived in West Texas Monday to 'hold the line,' Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted.