As the upcoming presidential election draws nearer, the Tucson Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol has seen a notable decrease in migrant apprehensions, marking the lowest levels of the current fiscal year. According to Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin, only 2,900 migrants were apprehended during the past week, a significant decline from previous months.
This trend was highlighted by Modlin on social media, where he shared a graphic illustrating the decrease in weekly apprehensions.
The recent figures reflect a stark contrast from earlier peaks in migrant apprehensions, such as in December, when agents encountered over 19,000 migrants in a single week. Throughout the year, the San Diego and Tucson Sectors have alternated in leading apprehension statistics as migrant crossings have shifted westward from Texas.
Border Patrol Sees Significant Drop in Tucson Sector Migrant Apprehensions Amid Election Season
Despite the recent decline, the Tucson Sector remains one of the busiest Border Patrol sectors, with agents having apprehended nearly 281,000 migrants year-to-date. This shift westward in migrant crossing patterns has seen the Del Rio Sector drop to fourth place compared to its status as the busiest sector last year.
Border Patrol agents along the southwest border have encountered close to 1.4 million migrants illegally crossing between ports of entry this year. This marks a slight decrease from the record numbers of previous years but remains a significant challenge for border enforcement.
In response to these challenges, the Biden administration has implemented various border policies, including efforts that have led to decreased apprehensions in recent months. Despite these efforts, issues such as the use of immigration parole and the significant number of “got-aways” remain critical factors in understanding the full scope of migration patterns and challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border.
