Homeland Secretary Nielsen said border is becoming more dangerous

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen said the southern border is becoming more dangerous every day for border patrol agents. She said they need all the help they can get.

Secretary Nielsen made those comments at the El Centro Sector Headquarters during her visit to the area on Wednesday. She said the administration is working hard to get more funding for projects such as the new border wall and other resources for border patrol. After speaking at local border patrol headquarters, she toured the border fence to see the work being done just west of Calexico outlets. While she was there, a group of protesters shouted anti-border wall slogans from the other side of the fence, some actually stepping on U.S. soil. Border patrol agents warned them to get back.
“The challenges are different. As we know, the numbers are increasing. We ask ourselves often why this is. You’ve seen the stats. From last month alone, we’ve had 200 percent in crossings that you know. We’ve also had massive increases in unaccompanied children and family units and drugs…so, really, I think, there’s quite a few things that are at play here,” Nielsen said.
Secretary Nielsen did not take any media questions during any time of her visit to Imperial Valley. She visited the San Luis, Arizona, border the same day, as well.