Migrants entering Yuma County in groups large and small
2021 apprehensions triple those from 2020 - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma Sector Border Patrol continues to see an average of 360 migrants crossing the border illegally. However, just recently there were a total of 1600 apprehensions. Thirteen groups of 30 or more migrants, to be exact according to Special Operations Supervisor Vincent Dulesky.
Dulesky says it's an unusual occurrence when there's a significant spike in the number of migrants. Overall, there is a major difference in apprehensions between 2020 and just the first part of 2021.
"Definitely different than what we were seeing say this time, you know, 2020. For the whole year and fiscal year 2020, we were seeing 7,500 apprehensions. As compared to now we're at a little over 30,000," says Dulesky.
With 2020 being such an extraordinary time due to the pandemic, it’s important to look even farther back.
"In 2019, you know, we saw a similar picture. We’ve seen a lot more family units. We were also seeing a lot more unaccompanied children and that’s kind of mirroring what we’re seeing this year," explains Dulesky.
The new soft-sided facility has been a helpful resource.
"Right now, total for Yuma sector, we’re at about 560 plus-- Changes hourly. And about half of those are being detained at the soft-side facility now," says Dulesky.
However, migrants who must be quarantined due to suspicion of COVID are being detained in isolation cells at the permanent facility. Small groups are still trying to make their way on foot and by vehicle.
This as recent as Friday.
"On highway 195 uh, agents pulled over a vehicle which they suspected uh, of smuggling uh, and found illegal uh, migrants in that vehicle. At the same time, agents were alerted uh, by a pedestrian that uh, they had seen or observed uh, another vehicle loading up. At which time they intercepted that vehicle and uh, there were four illegal migrants in that vehicle as well," explains Dulesky.
Dulesky warns that as we approach triple-digit weather, it is even more dangerous for anyone to cross through the desert.
