PHARR - According to Congressman Henry Cuellar, foreign-born “bridge runners" are bailing out of taxi cabs and rushing international bridges in the Rio Grande Valley.

He represents Starr County and part of Hidalgo County in Washington.

Cuellar revealed its happening most often at the bridges in Pharr and Rio Grande City.

Friday morning, a group of 47 tried to rush the bridge in Pharr; authorities fired tear gas and shut the bridge down.

In a partial statement, a CBP official said,

"Several males in the group disregarded commands to stop and physically pushed through the barriers. When confronted by CBP officers, the combative individuals began assaulting the officers by punching, kicking, and attempting to grab the officers’ protective devices.  In order to prevent further hostilities, CBP officers and SRT operators deployed tear gas and pepper ball launching systems equipment to effect the arrest of combative individuals."