More than 900 illegal aliens surrendered to #YumaSector Border Patrol agents on Saturday and Sunday. A majority of them were Central American family units and unaccompanied alien children looking to be released into the United States. #SouthwestBorder pic.twitter.com/heYiE7GgY0
— CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) May 20, 2019
Yuma Sector ranks third in the nation for total apprehensions along the Southwest Border, and has spent more than $1 million in humanitarian costs for the care of families and unaccompanied alien children in custody in fiscal year 2019.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents have apprehended more than 50,000 illegal aliens since the start of fiscal year 2019, continuing the trend of doubling apprehensions each year.
This week, Yuma Sector has detained three large groups of illegal aliens. On Monday, agents apprehended nearly 800. On Tuesday, another 500 illegal aliens were detained, and by Wednesday morning, Yuma Station agents took nearly 160 illegal aliens into custody east of San Luis.
“As these illegal border crossings overwhelm the capacity of our resources and personnel, we remain committed to treat each person we encounter with courtesy and respect, caring for their needs, while protecting individuals from human trafficking and other threats as we enforce U.S. immigration law,” said Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Carl Landrum. “Awareness of the large illegal immigration inflows, of which only 6.4% make a political asylum claim is vital to gaining public and congressional support for a modern immigration system to close legal loopholes, strengthen laws, prosecute violators, and provide funding for infrastructure and support along our nation’s borders.”