Central American nationals continue to surrender to Border Patrol Agents in Yuma, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. One group captured on what is now a viral video taken in the Yuma Sector totaled 108 people.
The situation is dire with apprehensions of individuals from other than Mexico in the Yuma Sector up more than 200% this fiscal year compared to the year-to-date numbers in Fiscal Year 2018.
On Thursday, at approximately 3:30 a.m., camera operators observed a huge number of illegal aliens being dropped over the border wall east of the San Luis Port of Entry. That group, totaling 108, was part of a coordinated smuggling effort where the subjects were dropped off the legacy landing mat border wall in four places simultaneously. The smuggling facilitators never crossed with the groups and returned to Mexico.
Out of the 108 individuals, 100 were from Guatemala and the rest were Honduran nationals. Within the group there were nine infants ranging in age from one to five years old, and 43 other children.
Agents apprehended an additional 112 illegal aliens throughout the rest of the day for a total of 220, with a majority of them being Guatemalan nationals traveling in family units. All individuals were processed for immigration proceeding.
“Coordinated smuggling of large numbers of Central Americans is taking place daily here in Yuma Sector,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Porvaznik. “They show flagrant disregard for the laws of our country and are exploiting our need for improved border wall infrastructure.”
On Friday, the Arizona Sheriff’s Association issued a statement condemning the “lack of action from our congressional leadership.” The sheriffs argued that news of that failure “will travel to foreign countries regarding our nation’s current situation. This will only result in an escalation of family units taking advantage of this crisis.”
“The failure of the current strategy will only cause a larger burden and impact on all of our local communities. Communities do not have the financial resources nor the infrastructure to handle this additional burden which will ultimately lead to other ancillary issues. Among these issues are potential increases in crime, victimization of undocumented immigrants, exploitation of juvenile children, and human rights concerns,” wrote Arizona Sheriff’s Association President, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels.
Related article: Arizona Sheriffs: “Immigration Crisis Has Reached A Critical Juncture”