Yuma Sector BP apprehend over 50K undocumented immigrants in fiscal year 2019

Since the beginning of the fiscal year 2019, Yuma Sector Border Patrol has apprehended over 50,000 undocumented immigrants, according to officials. The agency has also spent more than $1 million in humanitarian costs for the care of families and unaccompanied children.

Customs and Border Protection said for last year’s fiscal year, more than 26,000 apprehended. In 2017, more than 12,000 apprehended, maintaining the trend of doubling apprehensions.

Yuma Sector agents detained three large groups of undocumented immigrants this week. On Monday, agents apprehended nearly 800. On Tuesday, another 500 undocumented immigrants were detained, and by Wednesday morning, Yuma Station agents took nearly 160 undocumented immigrants 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.”