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  4. Central American Masses Undeterred Near Lukeville

Central American Masses Undeterred Near Lukeville

Release Date
Wed, 03/13/2019

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo Station encountered a large group of Central Americans after they illegally entered the country and surrendered to agents west of Lukeville Tuesday Morning.

Agents operating portable surveillance cameras west of the Port of Lukeville spotted the group shortly after they entered the United States by ducking under existing post-and-rail vehicle barrier that delineates the international boundary.

The group consisted of 124 individuals, mostly family units from Central America, and included 14 unaccompanied juveniles. Similar to the previous groups that have easily crossed through the area over the last few months, it consisted of Nationals from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Patrol agents in the area provided security, care and transportation for the group to be brought in from the desert.

Within 48 hours, Ajo agents have had nearly 400 Central American migrants surrender to them in this area.

Illicit transnational criminal organizations exploit the vulnerability of foreign nationals with false promises of legal status and encourage dangerous border crossings, placing lives at risk.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021