KGUN 9NewsLocal News

Actions

Border patrol apprehend migrant group of 102 near Lukeville

BP lukesville tuesday edit.jpg
Posted at 12:27 PM, Mar 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-20 15:29:43-04

TUCSON SECTOR — Border Patrol agents encountered a large group of migrants, totaling 102 persons, near Lukeville on Tuesday morning.

Per a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the BP agents used mobile surveillance technology to detect the group along the vehicle barrier between Mexico and the U.S.

The release says the group who surrendered was made of Guatemalan and Honduran nationals, with children accounting for more than half the group. Of these children, 12 were unaccompanied.

BP agents transported them to the Ajo station for processing.

Tucson Sector Chief Roy Villareal said that smuggling organizations are to blame for the lack of safety of these groups.

“Smuggling organizations have expanded their exploitation of Central Americans to unprecedented levels,” said Villareal. “By transporting these large groups of families to remote desert areas, it’s clear they have little regard for the safety and well-being of these families. Their sole intent is to disrupt border security efforts.”