Mexican nationals were caught crossing the border into the United States near the Arizona – New Mexico border. Thirty-two migrants were wearing camouflage to blend in with the desert terrain. Their attempt wasn’t successful and Border Patrol agents took them into custody.
Interim Chief Patrol Agent for the Tucson Sector John Modlin reports that the Mexicans were trying to blend in with the vegetation. The horse patrol unit spotted them despite their use of camouflage.
The Douglas Station’s #Horse Patrol Unit arrested a group of 32 migrants after illegally crossing the border near the #AZ / #NM state line. The 32 Mexican Nationals utilized camouflage clothing to blend into the surrounding vegetation. pic.twitter.com/7q1GKsvF9w
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) May 21, 2021
This isn’t the first time that camouflage has been used by migrants looking to sneak into the United States along the southern border. In 2019, for example, a group of 31 Guatemalans were spotted by Border Patrol in Big Bend Sector’s Sanderson Station. As the officers patrolled the area near the Rio Grande, they spotted footprints heading north. The agents tracked the footprints and apprehended the group.
The border crisis continues to plague the Biden administration. They have failed to get the situation under control. Human smuggling and drug trafficking continue to be factored into the humanitarian crisis brought on at the southern border by Joe Biden’s incompetence in border security policy.
Last week, Border Patrol agents in Texas discovered 20 migrants, including two children, crammed into a pickup truck and cargo trailer during a stop at a checkpoint on Interstate 10 near Sierra Blanca. Agents said there was no ventilation or space to move freely.
On Monday, a suspected smuggling boat carrying nearly two dozen illegal immigrants had to be intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard after it got stuck in kelp off the coast of Southern California.
Border Patrol agent Shane Crottie told local outlet KPBS that everybody was able to get out safely and the occupants were taken into custody.
“There were 23 individuals on board—20 Mexican nationals and three Guatemalan nationals. The United States Border Patrol took custody of the individuals after Coast Guard brought them ashore,” Crottie said, adding that the individuals were taken to a facility for processing.
On May 17, Chief Modlin announced that 124 migrants surrendered to border patrol agents near San Miguel, Arizona. Most illegal migrants who have been apprehended this year have been single adults but this group included 105 unaccompanied minors.
A group of 124 migrants surrendered to #BorderPatrol agents near San Miguel, AZ, early Monday morning. Although the majority of #Tucson Sector apprehensions this fiscal year are single adults, this group contained 105 unaccompanied children. @USBPChief pic.twitter.com/haZDqAGdMB
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) May 19, 2021
The Tucson sector officials are sending out a warning that the summer months will be deadly. In April, Border Patrol reported more than 170,000 border crossers. Over 13,000 of those were unaccompanied minors. There is no end in sight and despite what the Biden administration says, the border is not closed or secure. A deadly journey awaits those who will try to illegally enter the United States this summer.
“The desert is vast and it’s treacherous, when you cross illegally you put your life in incredible peril,” Sabri Dikman, acting deputy chief patrol agent, said at the time. “I’m telling you this not only as a Border Patrol agent, but as one who spent his entire 23-year career in Arizona. I speak from experience.”
The Tucson Sector, which covers 262 miles of border between the Arizona-New Mexico state line and the edge of Yuma County, sees fewer migrant crossings than Texas – but more deaths, authorities said.
Border crossings hit a record level in April. Repeat offenders brazenly return to try again just hours after being expelled back across the Mexican border.
The number of arrests reported last month is likely far higher than the actual number of people who tried to cross the border. After the United States started expelling border-crossers within hours of their arrest last year, the rate of repeat offenders shot up. Last month, 29% of all migrants who were expelled from the country had unsuccessfully tried to cross the border at least one other time, CBP spokesperson Nate Peeters told Forbes.
The camouflage clothing won’t protect them from the Border Patrol. And, it sure won’t protect them from the summer heat and the dangerous terrain along their way to sneak across the desert.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member