Yuma Sector Border Patrol welcomes 50 new agents

Yuma Sector Border Patrol welcomed 50 new Border Patrol agents Monday in efforts to increase border security as migrant caravans continue to arrive at the U.S./Mexico border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the new agents began their detail Monday morning as part of Operation Secure Line. The lengths of tours will alter and could change depending on mission requirements.

“Yuma Sector has been inundated with family unit groups from various Central American countries,” said Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Porvaznik. “Having additional trained border security professionals will do much to ensure our border is protected and our agents have the backup they need to safely conduct our mission of protecting America.”

Yuma Sector’s year-to-date apprehensions are up almost 150 percent compared to this date in the fiscal year 2018, according to CBP. The total fiscal year 2018 number was more than the double total fiscal year 2017 numbers.