Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector (Arizona) continue to be overwhelmed due to the large influx of illegal immigrants arriving at the border. In just two weeks (Christmas and New Year holidays) the arrest of more than 30,000 migrants was recorded.
John Modlin - patrol chief of the Tucson sector - stated in a publication on his X account (formerly Twitter) that the migratory influx not only represents an unprecedented economic expense for taxpayers, but is also a huge national security risk. Migrant arrests accounted for 89 federal criminal cases filed. Additionally, officers intercepted six human trafficking attempts last week alone.
Week in Review...
13,800 Apprehensions
89 Federal Criminal Cases
11 Rescues
6 Human Smuggling Events
2 Significant Arrests
2 Narcotics EventsA previously removed Mexican citizen was sentenced to prison for assaulting USBP agents near Douglas, AZ: https://t.co/MgQGoFvf6h pic.twitter.com/XS5UlcksyO
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) January 5, 2024
Modlin had reported just a week before (Christmas) that the detention of 16,800 immigrants had been recorded. In that time, 104 federal criminal cases were filed and two human trafficking attempts were intercepted.
Katie Hobbs asks the Administration for reinforcements
The overflow of border crossings and the exhaustion of law enforcement in the area is concerning state officials. The crisis is to the point that the Democratic governor of the State, Katie Hobbs, demanded action from the Biden Administration while the Border Patrol redoubles its efforts to make up for the lack of personnel.
Arizona border communities are in crisis, and our men and women on the front lines do not have the resources they need.
I issued a joint statement with @SenMarkKelly and @SenatorSinema calling for action from the Biden administration. Read it HERE: https://t.co/l9oVpzVokd
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) December 2, 2023
Hobbs along with Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and his independent peer Kyrsten Sinema issued a statement asking the central government to act "quickly": "The Administration must immediately send resources to secure the border and help our communities (...) Enough is enough, Arizona deserves real solutions to our border crisis."
My statement alongside Senator Sinema and Governor Hobbs on the Lukeville Port of Entry closure due to the border crisis: pic.twitter.com/qiNjzc9p3H
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) December 1, 2023
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani also sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting the deployment of the National Guard to help control the border crisis. "The situation has far passed the breaking point and those on the front lines of this crisis need immediate support," Ciscomani wrote in the letter.
