Rise in Central American migrants along Southwest border
Reports indicate a sharp increase of Central American families and children coming through the Southwest border.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, “in October 46,195 individuals were apprehended between ports of entry on our southwest border, compared with 39,501 in September and 37,048 in August.”
The rising trend reflects the arrival of Central American families and children.
The southern Texas border has seen the greatest increase. Customs and Border Protection recently announced 150 agents would be temporarily deployed to the Rio Grande Valley to help process the individuals.
In Yuma, reports also reflect a rising trend.
The Yuma County Interfaith organization, which often helps transient refugees get to their final destination by providing food, shelter and transportation assistance says they’ve seen an increase as well. They say they’ve assisted about 70 migrants per day in the last week and a half. The majority of the refugees are from Central America. Staff say none have had plans to stay in Yuma county permanently.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials also announced on Thursday that a temporary holding facility is being built near El Paso in Tornillo, Texas. The facility will be able to hold up to 500 migrants and opens next week.
