Border Patrol cancels election morning 'crowd control' demonstration in El Paso Agents didn't give a reason for cancelling the 'mobile field force demonstration' but said it will be re-scheduled



>>>See more from the Border Patrol's security drill last month ... less The U.S. Border Patrol's El Paso Sector invited members of the press to a railroad crossing near the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry Tuesday morning for what it's calling a "mobile field force demonstration" — the latest conspicuous show of force at the border by the federal government ahead of the midterm elections. (HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images) The U.S. Border Patrol's El Paso Sector invited members of the press to a railroad crossing near the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry Tuesday morning for what it's calling a "mobile field force demonstration" — ... more Photo: HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images, Getty Photo: HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images, Getty Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Border Patrol cancels election morning 'crowd control' demonstration in El Paso 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

EL PASO — The press release went out Monday, the reporters showed up Tuesday morning, then the U.S. Border Patrol abruptly cancelled its Election Day "crowd control exercise" without immediately stating a reason. Three agents who greeted about a dozen reporters near the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry Tuesday morning said it will be re-scheduled.

The agency had planned a "mobile field force demonstration" — the latest conspicuous show of force at the border by the federal government ahead of the midterm elections. President Donald Trump recently ordered thousands of U.S. troops to the border, warning of a coming "invasion" by a caravan of Central American migrants who are currently in southern Mexico.

UNDER FIRE: Border Patrol faces a year of controversy

Last week, Trump also said he ended the practice of "catch and release" for undocumented immigrants — although shelters in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley said Friday they continued receiving newly-released immigrants. And he said the government plans to erect tent cities to hold undocumented immigrant adults and children.

State Reps. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas, and Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, the chair and vice-chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, condemned the timing of the exercise Monday and called on the Border Patrol to cancel it.

“This administration continues to use immigration policy for political purposes," they said in a written statement. "The made-for-media ‘crowd control’ drill, conducted on Election Day, is a cynical effort to suppress the Latino vote in a region seeing record turnout.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on Texas Tribune.

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