According to Sean McGoffin, the new Tucson Sector chief, there has been a significant decrease in the number of migrant apprehensions between ports of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border. Locally, the drop has been substantial.
According to the spokesperson, the encounters in the Tucson Sector have decreased by 81%. However, he mentioned that the prosecutions have increased by over 200% as a result of applying necessary consequences. Additionally, the expedited removal program and other initiatives have contributed to reducing the overall numbers.
Since June’s proclamation, encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border have decreased by over 55%, and border officials have doubled the percentage of people placed into expedited removal. In fiscal year 2024, officials have conducted over 700,000 migrant removals and returns, which is the highest number in almost 15 years.
In 2024, families and children accounted for over 40% of unauthorized border crossings along the southern border.