Border authorities have intercepted a slew of big rigs hauling illegal aliens in Laredo Sector, where illegal crossings are surging in recent months.
U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Michael Banks announced the latest bust on Thursday.
The driver of a semi-truck claimed he was traveling alone during screening at the USBP immigration checkpoint on I-35.
However, agents observed arms and legs under blankets inside the vehicle and discovered a total of 20 illegal aliens crammed into the sleeper cab.
“The illegal aliens, from three different countries, will be processed for deportation, and the human smuggler is facing human smuggling charges,” Chief Banks explained in post on social media.
Another semi full of 20 migrants was pulled over in Laredo, TX.
An expected surge of Border Patrol agents are arriving shortly.
This sector is seeing many incursions as smugglers continue to push people into the U.S. https://t.co/ghRtRU4Ooi
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 30, 2026
On Sunday, Chief Banks shared information about another incident at the Laredo checkpoint where USBP found 10 illegals inside a truck cab, including a pregnant woman and a 13-year-old boy who was locked in a closet compartment.
SEMI SMUGGLING EXPOSED❗
A 13-year-old was locked in a closet compartment of a semi. A pregnant woman was hidden in the back of the sleeper, and eight others were hiding under mattresses and in compartments. This is what agents encountered at the Laredo USBP immigration… pic.twitter.com/yvN8PFhFq5
— Chief Michael W. Banks (@USBPChief) April 26, 2026
Last week, agents found 22 illegals inside the cab of a truck tractor at the same checkpoint.
The Department of Homeland Security is sending 200 USBP agents from across the country to support enforcement efforts in Laredo Sector.
NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley reports that encounters in Laredo Sector for March and April are up more than 50% over the prior two months, and are continuing to climb.
