Increase in families crossing into the U.S. has doubled

The number of illegal crossing along the U.S.- Mexico border is at an all-time high with a two-hundred and thirty percent increase in families crossing into the country, according to the latest numbers from Border Patrol.

Agents said they’re facing multiple challenges, including the increase of families crossing into the country and the cost of providing humanitarian aid to these families.

“For the fiscal year to date 2019 we have seen a 230 percent increase in family unit apprehensions in the Yuma Sector as well as a 36 percent entries from the same time last year of unaccompanied alien children,” said Border Patrol Agent Jose Garibay.

Many of the families are from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Agents said that the smugglers helping these families cross into the U.S. are taking advantage of the system.

“Our laws are starting to be more exploited by these alien smugglers knowing that these family units mainly from Guatemala come here with their children and that they will be released within 20 days into the U.S,” said Agent Garibay.

The cost of providing humanitarian aid to these families has also increased and that’s one of the challenges agents are facing. This year that number is already exceeding $500,000 comparing that to 2018 where the cost was at $340,000.

“So blankets, baby formula and other things you would need to care for a family for an extended period of time,” said Agent Garibay.

Agents said that technology would make the difference in helping agents on the ground while on duty.

“It is a valuable part of our enforcement strategy, we have to have situational awareness along our border and being able to identify the threats that are crossing illegally into the United States,” said Agent Garibay.