In the last six weeks, Arizona Border Patrol agents in the Tucson and Yuma sectors have encountered groups of illegal aliens crossing the border in southern Arizona. According to Border Patrol, multiple areas along the Yuma and Ajo corridors are being exploited by criminal human and drug smuggling organizations.
Currently, illegal aliens, who might have previously presented themselves at ports of entry, are being shuttled by human smugglers into areas with limited infrastructure to illegally cross into Arizona.
These areas are located along a remote and rugged stretch of the U.S./Mexico border. Border Patrol agents assigned to these areas track and encounter illegal crossers around the clock as activity levels are significant. With more family units being smuggled into these areas, agents must divert even greater resources to care and treat those harmed by the arduous journey.
“With no regard for the safety and well-being of these families, smugglers put their bottom line before human decency,” said Joint Task Force West, Arizona Commander Rodolfo Karisch. “Tuesday we sent agents out to rescue 61 of these individuals from rising flood waters; and Wednesday, shortly after crossing the border, a mother in one of these groups passed away in front of her son.”
In the last six weeks, Arizona Border Patrol has reported the following large group arrests:
Oct. 2, Yuma Sector encountered 164 adults and children west of the San Luis Port of Entry.
Sept. 25, Ajo Station Border Patrol agents encountered 264 adults and children west of the Lukeville Port of Entry.
Sept. 20, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents encountered 275 adults and children, 20 of whom had to be transported to the hospital to be treated for a range of conditions including: back and ankle injuries, lacerations, lice infestation, and impetigo.
Sept. 16, Ajo Station Border Patrol agents encountered 193 adults and children west of the Lukeville Port of Entry.
Sept. 8, Ajo Station Border Patrol agents encountered 121 adults and children near the Senita Basin north of Lukeville.
Sept. 4, Ajo Station Border Patrol agents encountered 163 adults and children west of Lukeville’s Port of Entry.
Aug. 28. Ajo Station Border Patrol agents encountered 103 adults and children west of Lukeville’s Port of Entry.
Aug. 20, Ajo Station agents encountered 128 illegal immigrants who had been abandoned by their smugglers.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials conducting custodial interviews report that they “have uncovered similarities in persons encountered and their reasons for coming to the United States. They are lied to by smugglers who make promises of assistance, financial gain, and protected immigration status.”
Migrants have told authorities that smugglers are using coercive tactics to profit from vulnerable families.
A majority of the large groups apprehended are migrants from Guatemala that have traveled through Mexico. Subsequent interviews have identified Charleston, South Carolina; Oakland, California; and Homestead, Florida as their final destinations.
“This is a humanitarian crisis that is impacting border security,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Porvaznik. “Criminal entities are lining their pockets while exploiting a vulnerable population, filling our stations and diverting our national security efforts.”-