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  4. Yuma Sector Continues to See Record Number of Central Americans Surrendering

Yuma Sector Continues to See Record Number of Central Americans Surrendering

Release Date
Fri, 10/19/2018

YUMA, Ariz. – Large groups of Central American nationals continue to surrender to Border Patrol Agents in Yuma, one group captured on video totaled 108 persons Thursday.   

At approximately 3:30 a.m., camera operators observed a huge number of illegal aliens being dropped over the border wall east of the San Luis Port of Entry. That group, totaling 108, was part of a coordinated smuggling effort where the subjects were dropped off the legacy landing mat border wall in four places simultaneously. The smuggling facilitators never crossed with the groups and returned to Mexico.

Out of the 108 individuals, 100 were from Guatemala and the rest were Honduran nationals. Within the group there were nine infants ranging in age from one to five years old, and 43 other children.

Agents apprehended an additional 112 illegal aliens throughout the rest of the day for a total of 220, with a majority of them being Guatemalan nationals traveling in family units.  All individuals were processed for immigration proceeding. 

“Coordinated smuggling of large numbers of Central Americans is taking place daily here in Yuma Sector,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Porvaznik. “They show flagrant disregard for the laws of our country and are exploiting our need for improved border wall infrastructure.”

Yuma Sector’s apprehensions of individuals from other than Mexico is up more than 200% this fiscal year compared to the year-to-date numbers in Fiscal Year 2018. 

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life. 

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021