Border Patrol participates in Missing in Arizona Day

The Tucson Sector Border Patrol joined the Missing in Arizona Day to support the Missing Migrant Program at the Arizona State University West Campus in Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, Oct. 21st.

The Tucson Sector’s participation in the Missing Migrant Program shows support to avoid the deaths of undocumented migrants during their journey into the United States and also helps identify those who pass away in the desert.

The program works with third-party reporting organizations such as foreign consulates, various agencies, and non-governmental organizations to reunite missing loved ones or give a resolution to those who remained unidentified.

For 2017, the program received more than 1,500 inquires varying from distress calls, missing migrants and found remains.

During the 3rd Annual Missing Arizona Day, over 70 missing person reports were processed. Around 16 of those reported on Saturday were sought and found through the Border Patrol’s databases.

“The Border Patrol values human life and has placed an emphasis on providing aid to migrants in distress, additionally we also work to find closure for families with missing loved ones through our Missing Migrant Program,” said Chief Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch. “We are tasked with enforcing immigration laws of the United States but that does not limit our compassion.”