Rise in illegal border crossings of Chinese Nationals
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, 13 On Your Side, KECY) - Yuma Sector Border Patrol has seen a 50% rise between the 2018 and 2019 fiscal year of Chinese Nationals illegally crossing the border.
Most recently on December 31 agents from the Welton Station captured 10 undocumented Chinese Nationals who were hidden in the flatbed of a trunk.
Agents said they were alerted by a sensor activation near the border.
When agents responded to the alert they found a white pick up truck who changed the direction of travel once they noticed agents responding.
The truck headed back to the U.S. Mexico border where the truck stopped and 12 people ran across the border into Mexico.
When agents inspected the trunk, it was then that they discovered the 10 Chinese Nationals hidden in the flatbed.
Border Patrol agents said these individuals are taking a risk by traveling out in the open desert. Especially in confined compartments that if the truck were to get in an accident, it can be a danger to the hidden passenger's lives.
Just within the 2018 and 2019 fiscal year, Yuma County Border Patrol said they have seen an increase of Chinese Nationals illegally coming through the southern border.
"Our numbers were approximately 28 in the same time period last year, and now they are over 45," said Jose Garibay from Yuma Border Patrol.
Border Patrol agents at this time don't have a reason as to why the increase is happening.
Not only is the capture of undocumented Chinese Nationals happening in the Yuma Sector but also across the southern border.
On December 9, San Diego Border Patrol found 11 Chinese Nationals hidden inside furniture stored in the back of a truck.
On November 7, San Diego Border Patrol found 6 Chinese Nationals concealed behind a false wall of a truck.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol emphasized how much they need an updated border wall system to help cut illegal border crossings like the one that was built east of the San Luis port of entry.
