Arizona Border Patrol apprehended 10,000 illegal border crossers last week

Border Patrol agents in the Tuscon Sector in Arizona encountered around 10,000 undocumented migrants crossing the border last week alone, according to data from the agency. 

The number of crossings signifies a significant increase in activity in the Tucson border area. Last week’s figures mark a 1,000-person increase from the previous week, said Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin in a tweet.  

Most of the migrants crossing the border last week were adult males, a Border Patrol agent told Fox News Digital. 

In June, agents in the Tucson sector apprehended a total of 24,360 undocumented migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Throughout the whole year, Tucson border agents have apprehended 235,000 apprehensions, a significant increase compared to the 40,000 apprehended in 2021. 

This week, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector also disrupted 21 human smuggling operations and carried out 11 narcotic seizures, resulting in six pounds of fentanyl and six pounds of methamphetamine. Additionally, three firearms were seized. 

Week in Review...
- 10,000 Apprehensions
- 430 Rescues
- 21 Human Smuggling Events
- 11 Narcotics Seizures
- 6lbs. of Fentanyl
- 6lbs. of Methamphetamine
- 3 Firearms #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/vhci2Tzzkd

— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) July 28, 2023

Modlin also said that the Tucson sector agents carried out 430 rescues last week. The rescues come as Arizona continues to face triple-digit temperatures. Many of the migrants who needed to be rescued by Border Patrol agents were facing severe dehydration after being exposed to the sun in severe weather conditions. 

"The unforgiving desert heat can be life-threatening. With temperatures soaring well above 100°, it only takes minutes for heat exhaustion and dehydration to set in," Modlin said. 

"Those attempting to cross the border illegally underestimate the intensity of the heat and vastness of the desert," he added.