Agents, courts coping with migration shift toward Arizona
Reports say migrants being released without court dates; judicial docket shows smuggling activity rife, illegal re-entry cases up
by: Julian Resendiz
Posted: Jul 24, 2023 / 05:15 PM CDT
Updated: Jul 24, 2023 / 05:15 PM CDT
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Migrant activity is shifting away from El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas but has hardly skipped a beat in Eastern Arizona.
The latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection operational data shows migrant apprehensions went down by nearly 50% in the El Paso Sector in June compared to May. The numbers in the Rio Grande Valley plummeted by almost 70%. The Tucson Sector only saw a 20% decrease and is now tied with Del Rio as the busiest migrant crossing point in the nation.
This is presenting challenges to border agents in a Tucson Sector some are describing as “overwhelmed.” Recent news reports stated some migrants are being released in Pinal County without a court date. Some allege witnessing others being held in an outdoor pen at a Border Patrol station in Ajo, Arizona, despite triple-digit heat. Federal officials reportedly responded, saying they are surging agents to the area and expediting the transportation of migrants to facilities where water, food, and medical care are available.
https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/agents-courts-coping-with-migration-shift-toward-arizona/