US Border Patrol celebrate 100 years with weekend parade in Downtown El Paso

Adam Powell, El Paso Times
·2 min read

El Pasoans turned out in droves over the weekend to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol, which was founded in 1924.

A parade, which set off from the El Paso Convention Center and snaked around San Jacinto Plaza Saturday morning, saw hundreds of spectators turn out to celebrate the men and women who continue to serve along the border.

One of those spectators was Danielle Salcido, whose children were seen carrying a sign that read: "Daddy is our hero." Salcido's husband is a 16-year veteran of the Border Patrol.

(Left to right) Siblings Savannah, Andrea and Jacob Salcido hold a poster showing support for their father, a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, during the agency's centennial anniversary celebration in Downtown El Paso Saturday, May 25, 2024.
(Left to right) Siblings Savannah, Andrea and Jacob Salcido hold a poster showing support for their father, a 16-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, during the agency's centennial anniversary celebration in Downtown El Paso Saturday, May 25, 2024.

"They have a hard job," Salcido said. "We just want to show all of them our love and support."

Not far from the Salcido family was Ana Maria Campos, a self-proclaimed prayer warrior for the Border Patrol. For eight years, Campos has traveled to Border Patrol sectors all over the country, north and south, to pray for the men and women of the Border Patrol.

Self-proclaimed Border Patrol prayer warrior Ana Maria Campos stands near San Jacinto Plaza awaiting the U.S. Border Patrol parade Saturday, May 25, 2024. The parade was part of Border Patrol's 100-year anniversary celebration
Self-proclaimed Border Patrol prayer warrior Ana Maria Campos stands near San Jacinto Plaza awaiting the U.S. Border Patrol parade Saturday, May 25, 2024. The parade was part of Border Patrol's 100-year anniversary celebration

Campos explained that she was formerly anti-Border Patrol, but a bout with illness that left her in hospice for a while changed her perspective. Now, she dedicates much of her time to supporting an agency she once loathed.

But while many of the parade's attendees said they turned out to show support for the Border Patrol, Claudio Herrera, a Border Patrol spokesperson, said the event was aimed at letting El Pasoans know agents are part of the community.

"This is a great opportunity for the community and United States Border Patrol to celebrate together our 100-year anniversary," he said. "It's a great resemblance of what the community of El Paso has and what the Border Patrol has to give to the community."

"We're always supported in the community, we're part of this community, we're fathers and mothers in this community as well," Herrera added, "and this is a great way to show our respect to the community and also celebrate our 100-year anniversary."

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: US Border Patrol takes to El Paso streets to celebrate centennial