A recent nighttime helicopter ride with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the El Paso, Texas sector provided Fox News with an exclusive look at the agency's evolving strategies for managing migrant crossings. The operation highlighted the technological advancements employed by CBP and the ongoing challenges faced by agents on the ground.

Equipped with night vision goggles and advanced surveillance technology, including a high-tech camera and mapping software, CBP agents demonstrated their ability to track migrants even in complete darkness. The system pinpointed the locations of individuals attempting to breach the border wall, conceal themselves in the brush, or evade detection through various tactics. From miles away, agents monitored these movements with remarkable precision.

The operation also showcased the use of invisible lasers to lock onto targets and provide precise coordinates to Border Patrol agents on the ground. This coordinated effort between air and ground units facilitated the apprehension of several individuals, including a 19-year-old Mexican national and a Guatemalan man.

CBP agents reported a decrease in both overall encounters and "gotaways" – migrants who successfully evade apprehension – in the El Paso Sector. Notably, on the day of the helicopter ride, agents reported zero gotaways, a significant achievement in recent years. This success is attributed in part to increased deployment of Border Patrol and National Guard resources to known hotspots along the border, bolstering a previously strained workforce.