Things are tense on the Southern border as the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to secure the border and end the influx of illegal immigration that was such a prevalent feature of the Biden years. 

Shortly after being sworn into office, President Donald Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the Southern border and designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Trump Signs Executive Orders to Secure the Southern Border, End the Illegal Influx

The cartels, for their part, appear intent on acting the part, as Fox News' Bill Melugin is now reporting that suspected cartel gunmen fired on Border Patrol agents near Fronton, Texas, on Monday, as a group of illegal aliens were being brought across the Rio Grande.

BREAKING: Per multiple law enforcement sources, within the last hour, Border Patrol agents near Fronton, TX were fired upon from MX by suspected cartel gunmen as a group of illegal aliens were being brought across the river. I’m told BP returned fire, nobody hit on either side,…

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 27, 2025

BREAKING: Per multiple law enforcement sources, within the last hour, Border Patrol agents near Fronton, TX were fired upon from MX by suspected cartel gunmen as a group of illegal aliens were being brought across the river. I’m told BP returned fire, nobody hit on either side, and that the illegal aliens did not make it across.

WATCH: Marines Arrive to Help Secure the Southern Border as Trump Delivers on Another Promise

Thankfully, it appears no one was struck. And now, per Melugin, the Texas Department of Public Safety is patrolling the area.

Texas DPS @LtChrisOlivarez tells me DPS is now patrolling the area and has a drone in the air and can see Mexican military assets now staging on the other side of the river. pic.twitter.com/z61RkrVvEq

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 27, 2025

Texas DPS @LtChrisOlivarez tells me DPS is now patrolling the area and has a drone in the air and can see Mexican military assets now staging on the other side of the river.

The incident comes just days after a U.S. hiker was shot by suspected cartel members in California's Jacumba Wilderness. The hiker, who was shot in the leg, is expected to recover.