Tucson Standard

The head of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector said there were more than 18,400 apprehensions of illegal migrants in the sector during the past week.

John R. Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, posted on X that, in addition to those apprehensions, there were 104 federal criminal cases, thirteen rescues, and 7 human smuggling events.

He also said there were 3 narcotics events, 3 “significant arrests” of sex offenders, two firearms seized, and one stolen vehicle.

Modlin told the U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee in February 2023 that, he did “not have enough agents within Tucson sector to deal with the flow” of illegal migrants, reported Government Executive. He said U.S. Border Patrol needs about 22,000 employees to function property, but the agency currently has 19,300 employees.  

U.S. Border Patrol, a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders and preventing illegal entry of people and contraband. Established in 1924, it operates in 328 ports of entry and protects 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.

One of the nine sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border is the Tucson Sector, which covers 262 border miles and includes all of the Arizona-Mexico border and parts of the California-Mexico border. This sector employs a multi-layered approach to border security, utilizing a combination of technology, infrastructure, and personnel to prevent illegal cross-border activity, including the smuggling of drugs and people.