Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan joined Senator Martha McSally on a visit to the U.S – Mexico border in Yuma on Thursday. McAleenan also met with local elected officials including Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls to discuss the effects that the humanitarian and security crisis on the Southwest border is having on Yuma Sector communities.
Just toured #USBP Processing in Yuma w/ @DHSMcAleenan. We must treat all migrants — including those who illegally cross the border — with the utmost care and respect while in @DHSgov custody. pic.twitter.com/4aitoMW6vF
— Martha McSally (@SenMcSallyAZ) August 8, 2019
“We are here today to provide an update on the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis here at our border,” stated McAleenan. “The situation is improving by every available metric, but, and I want to be very clear about this, we remain at and beyond crisis levels in illegal crossings, even as our initiatives to address irregular flows and mitigate humanitarian conditions are making an impact.”
According to McAleenan, in May, CBP apprehended or encountered 144,266 migrants which was the highest monthly total in 13 years. In July, there was a 43 percent decrease in illegal crossings as compared to May and a 20 percent decrease from June crossings.
McAleenan credited President Trump’s engagement with Mexico and Guatemala, along with several other Central American countries, for the reduction. “We’ve begun to take shared responsibility with partners for the irregular migration flows that have become a regional crisis. We continue to see Mexico making a significant effort on their southern border between Chiapas and Guatemala, as well as on the transportation routes of human smugglers, and we need them to continue to sustain this. In addition, their efforts have helped reduce the phenomenon of large groups crossing our border, which was an acute challenge here in the Yuma sector.”
McAleenan said, “In July, CBP realized a 26 percent decline in total enforcement actions for individuals from the Northern Triangle of Central America, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The most significant decline is noted in aliens from Guatemala, with a 41 percent decrease from June levels. In addition, individuals from Honduras declined 16 percent in June, El Salvador, 21 percent in June, and Mexico, 11 percent. In the same timeframe, from May to July, both unaccompanied children and family unit apprehension decreased by more than 50%, demonstrating the success of several recent initiatives by the Administration as well as its international partners to address this border security and migration crisis. This drop is not attributable to seasonal trends. Over the past five years, immigration flows have responded to pull factors, such as the perceived ability to stay in the U.S. due to weaknesses in U.S immigration law, not to historical, seasonal patterns driven by agricultural work. Over the last five years, the May to July decrease in crossings averaged 9 percent and went up or stayed relatively flat in some years.”
McAleenan called the 43 percent a “dramatic downturn” and attributed it to the Trump administration’s international partnership efforts.
McAleenan said the investigation into allegations that Yuma agents mistreated and, in one case, sexually assaulted a teenage girl in custody, is still ongoing.
“Any allegations here in Yuma are undergoing that process,” McAleenan said of the investigation. “I can’t provide you with an update on the specific investigation today but I can assure you it’s being followed up either by the Office of Professional Responsibility or the Inspector General at DHS.”