Over 300 Central Americans surrender to Border Patrol near Lukeville
Over 300 Central Americans, suspected of entering the United States illegally, surrendered to Border Patrol agents near Lukeville, Ariz. Thursday morning.
According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an Air and Marine Operations helicopter was investigating a possible campfire found by a surveillance camera when they spotted a group of people. CBP said that the group, comprised of 325 Central Americans, had illegally entered the country through an area where there is only a vehicle barrier set to prevent crossings.
Group members told authorities that buses and trucks had dropped them off throughout the night on Mexico’s Federal Highway 2. The Mexican highway parallels the U.S. border, less than 50 yards from the area, CBP said.
The entire group then crossed together at 8:00 a.m. and waited for authorities. In the following hours, Border Patrol agents provided security, care, and transportation for the group. Agents were also able to transport the group in vans and trucks to nearest Border Patrol facility for processing.
Two teens, a five-year-old with possible chicken pox, and a 12-year-old with a skin infection were transported to a local hospital for treatment while the rest of the group began immigration processing.
