A secret cross-border tunnel used for smuggling migrants and contraband between Mexico and the United States has been discovered, prompting heightened security measures on both sides of the border. The tunnel, stretching 300 meters between Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, was concealed in a storm sewer system and went unnoticed until its discovery on January 10.
The tunnel had been reinforced with wooden beams to prevent collapses and was equipped with lighting and ventilation, indicating it had been in operation for some time. Mexican officials believe it could have taken at least a year to construct. The U.S. Border Patrol discovered the tunnel when agents removed a metal plate covering its entry and alerted Mexican authorities.
The Mexican Attorney General’s Office is now investigating whether local officials were aware of or complicit in the tunnel’s construction. General Jose Lemus, commander of Ciudad Juarez’s military garrison, stated that the investigation would focus on whether corruption or negligence played a role in allowing the tunnel to remain hidden for so long.
The discovery comes as security at the U.S.-Mexico border has been ramped up, particularly in anticipation of the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly vowed to implement mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and his presidency is expected to bring a more aggressive stance on immigration.
The flow of migrants from Mexico to the U.S. has long been a source of tension between the two nations, and it became a central issue during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In response to Trump’s hardline stance, Mexico has undertaken a significant crackdown on migration, including transporting non-Mexican migrants further south to deter them from reaching the U.S. border.
Reports indicate that raids to detain and deport migrants living in the U.S. without legal status could begin as early as the day after Trump returns to office. His administration has also placed diplomatic pressure on Mexico, with Trump threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican goods unless the country does more to stop undocumented migrants from reaching the U.S.
In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has promised to address the situation by calling on the U.S. to take action against the flow of weapons being smuggled from the U.S. into Mexico, which she claims exacerbates the violence and instability in the region.
As both nations brace for a shift in immigration policy, the discovery of the tunnel highlights the complex and ongoing challenges of controlling cross-border trafficking and migration.
