A group of illegal immigrants attacked United States Border Patrol agents as they attempted to force their way through a “breach of the border wall,” according to Tucson sector Border Patrol chief John Modlin, who explained that children were present during the attack.
In a post to social media written on Wednesday, the chief wrote that a “group of migrants assaulted Tucson Sector agents while endangering children as they pushed through a breach of the border wall west of Lukeville, AZ.” Modlin wrote the episode “shows how little smugglers care about anyone’s safety, including children’s.”
A group of migrants assaulted Tucson Sector agents while endangering children as they pushed through a breach of the border wall west of Lukeville, AZ. This shows how little smugglers care about anyone’s safety, including children’s. pic.twitter.com/M3X8DoFn5A
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) November 22, 2023
Separate video captured in Lukesville and posted to social media by John Fabbricatore, a Republican running for U.S. House in Colorado, appeared to show approximately 1,000 illegal immigrants surrender to Border Patrol.
“Crying children can be heard” in the background of the video, noted Fabbricatore on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
As darkness descends on Lukeville AZ nearly a thousand illegal aliens have crossed the border and turned themselves over to Border Patrol. Where are these people going? Numerous countries other than Mexico are crossing. Here is another video. Crying children can be heard.… pic.twitter.com/bFUtzf4Eip
— John Fabbricatore (@JohnE_Fabb) November 26, 2023
Tucson remains the highest volume point of entry for illegal immigrants, and in October, authorities had recorded 373,625 migrant encounters in 2023. Some reports indicate Tucson’s status as the top destination for illegal immigrants is driven by families, though Modlin previously said a significant number of illegal immigrants are single, military aged men.
“In Tucson the vast majority of encounters are single adult males attempting to avoid detection. The smuggling organizations to our south are very well organized and resourceful,” Modlin said in February, referencing Mexican cartels. “Each and every person crossing through the Tucson Sector must pay these criminal organizations. These criminal organizations employ various tactics to move thousands of migrants illegally across the border.”
Two Republican members of the U.S. Senate have also warned that children are “recycled” by human traffickers and smugglers, meaning minors are sometimes forced to make the dangerous, illegal trek into the United States multiple times for the purpose of providing cover for the adults traveling with them.
Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced legislation that would allow CBP to fingerprint minors under 14 to determine whether children are victims to “recycling” by cartels or other criminal organizations.
A total of 269,735 illegal immigrant encounters were reported by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in September, making it the highest month on record. A total of 232,963 were recorded in August, and 183,479 in July. The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee recently determined the flow of illegal immigrants over the southern border could cost taxpayers as much as $451 billion.
After posting his recent updates, Modlin wrote on X that “all Tucson Sector Border Patrol social media accounts will be paused until further notice” due to “the ongoing migration surge.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Illegal Border Crossers” by John Fabbricatore.
