Tucson Standard

On October 24, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from the Three Points Station Field Training Unit (FTU) and motorcycle unit responded to a suspected smuggling event near San Miguel. This information was shared by Tucson Sector Border Chief Sean McGoffin in an October 29 post on X.

According to McGoffin, border camera technology detected what agents suspected to be a smuggling event, leading them to track the individuals involved. Ultimately, nine foreign nationals were returned to Mexico.

The American Immigration Council explains that the expedited removal process allows low-level immigration officers to remove certain non-citizens without a hearing on their case. This process was established in 1996 as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Individuals arriving at a port of entry without proper documents or those attempting entry through fraud or misrepresentation may be subject to expedited removal. However, those expressing fear of persecution, torture, or returning to their home country can access the asylum system.

Screenshot of Sean McGoffin's Oct. 29 post on X | X

The Tucson sector covers much of Arizona, stretching from New Mexico's border to Yuma County's border, encompassing approximately 262 border miles. The sector employs about 3,700 agents across nine stations located in Why, Casa Grande, Douglas, Bisbee, Nogales, Sonoita, Tucson, Three Points, and Wilcox. This information is available on CBP’s webpage dedicated to the sector. Originally known as the Nogales Sector and created on July 1, 1924, its headquarters moved to Tucson two years later.

US Customs and Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for safeguarding national 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.