Turkish Migrants in El Paso: Their Silent Struggle at the Border

Amid the growing wave of migration at the U.S.–Mexico border, a quieter, less reported group is making the difficult journey: Turkish migrants. Today in El Paso, dozens of individuals and families from Turkey were spotted among the crowds waiting near the border wall, hoping for a chance at asylum. Most arrived via long, winding routes — often traveling through multiple countries before reaching Mexico, where they then crossed into Ciudad Juárez. From there, they presented themselves to U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso, requesting asylum under humanitarian grounds. Interviews with several Turkish asylum seekers reveal stories of political persecution, economic hardship, and fears for their safety back home. Many of them are well-educated — doctors, engineers, and teachers — forced to flee due to government pressure or instability. However, their journey is far from over. Once they cross into the U.S., they are held in temporary detention facilities, and face a long, complex legal process. Some are released with ankle monitors, others are held for extended periods. A lack of Turkish-language legal support and uncertainty over asylum outcomes has added to their anxiety. Still, their hope remains strong. For them, El Paso is not the final stop — it's the fragile beginning of a life they’re trying to rebuild, far from home.