Illegal entries are on the rise in Arizona, California, and New Mexico as Texas resistance grows
Texas Border Security Efforts Lead to Increased Illegal Entries in Other States
As Texas continues to implement strong measures to combat illegal crossings at its border with Mexico, officials in the state report that illegal entries have surged in Arizona, California, and New Mexico, where similar policies are not being enforced.
Under the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott and his border security mission, Operation Lone Star, National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety officers have been working tirelessly to prevent illegal entry and apprehend those who violate the law. The goal is to not only block illegal entry but also ensure that there are consequences for those who manage to get through.
“Illegal entry in Texas has consequences,”
said border czar Mike Banks. He explained that Mexican cartels and transnational criminal organizations are now shifting their smuggling operations to Arizona, California, and New Mexico due to the resistance they face in Texas, as indicated by federal data.
Under Banks’ leadership, Texas has implemented a strategic approach known as the ”PDI strategy” – positioning, deterring, and interdicting. Currently, Texas accounts for 30% of all illegal border crossings, while the remaining 70% occur in Arizona, California, and New Mexico, where resistance measures are not as strong.
The U.S.-Mexico border spans 1,954 miles, with Texas sharing the longest stretch of 1,254 miles, or 64% of the total. Consequently, Texas has historically experienced the highest number of illegal border crossings.
With five CBP sectors, Texas has the most in the country, while California and Arizona each have two. New Mexico, on the other hand, does not have any CBP sectors. However, approximately 40% of illegal entries in the El Paso Sector of west Texas originate from New Mexico, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Officials attribute this to the shortage of agents in the field due to various factors.
Since January 2021, it is estimated that over two million individuals intentionally entered the country to avoid capture, known as “gotaways.”
Recent CBP data reveals that while illegal entries have increased in California and Arizona, they have significantly dropped in Texas. However, it is important to note that the data only includes Border Patrol apprehensions and excludes Office of Field Operations and gotaway data.
In November 2023, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector of Arizona reported 64,637 apprehensions, while the Yuma sector recorded 6,159. In December 2023, these numbers increased to 80,184 in Tucson and 7,144 in Yuma. However, in the following month, apprehensions dropped to 50,565 in Tucson and 3,735 in Yuma.
Similarly, in California, the San Diego sector saw 31,164 apprehensions in November 2023, which increased to 34,372 in December. However, in January, the numbers dropped to 24,709. In the El Centro sector, apprehensions were 1,787 in November, 2,222 in December, and 1,127 in January.
Meanwhile, in Texas, the El Paso sector recorded 22,405 apprehensions in November 2023, with an estimated 8,960 coming from New Mexico. The Big Bend sector had 427 apprehensions, Del Rio had 42,951, Laredo had 2,810, and the Rio Grande Valley had 18,773. In December 2023, El Paso and Del Rio saw increases, while the other sectors experienced decreases. El Paso had 33,966 apprehensions (with an estimated 13,586 in New Mexico), and Del Rio had 71,048. Big Bend dropped to 322 apprehensions, Laredo to 2,267, and the Rio Grande Valley to 18,210.
Apprehensions decreased even further statewide last month after Governor Abbott shut down an area in Eagle Pass. In El Paso, apprehensions were down by half, while in Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley sectors, they were down by roughly a third.
In total, 17,515 illegal border crossers were apprehended in El Paso (with an estimated 7,006 in New Mexico), 324 in Big Bend, 16,712 in Del Rio, 2,193 in Laredo, and 7,340 in the Rio Grande Valley.
When comparing the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 to the same period in fiscal year 2023, apprehensions increased by nearly 74% in California’s San Diego sector and by 182% in Arizona’s Tucson sector. However, apprehensions in all Texas sectors decreased during the same time period, despite nationwide apprehensions reaching a record high in fiscal year 2024.
From Q1 FY23 to Q1 FY24, apprehensions in the El Paso sector decreased by over 50%, in Big Bend by nearly 70%, in Laredo by 40%, in the Rio Grande Valley by 23%, and in Del Rio by 1%.
“As Texas gains control of an area,”
Banks emphasized,
“we’re going to maintain that area and we’re going to expand. We’re going to gain, maintain, expand. We’re going to cut off illegal entry into the state of Texas.”
What concerns have been expressed about the strain on resources and infrastructure in states like Arizona, California, and New Mexico due to increased illegal entries?
8. In the El Centro sector of California, apprehensions were at 17,414 in November 2023, increased to 19,985 in December, and then dropped to 13,093 in January.
While these numbers are subject to change and may not be a complete representation of illegal entries, they do suggest that as Texas strengthens its border security efforts, illegal crossings are shifting to other states where enforcement measures are not as rigorous.
Officials have expressed concerns that as more individuals attempt to enter the United States through states like Arizona, California, and New Mexico, the strain on resources and infrastructure in those areas will increase. Additionally, the spread of smuggling operations to these states highlights the adaptability and resilience of transnational criminal organizations and cartels.
Efforts to address the increase in illegal entries in other states are now underway. Governor Abbott has called on federal authorities to increase their presence and resources along the Arizona, California, and New Mexico borders. In addition, state and local law enforcement agencies are working to enhance their coordination and response to effectively address the issue.
It is clear that Texas’ robust border security measures have had an impact on illegal entries in the state. However, as this report reveals, the consequences of these efforts are being felt in neighboring states. This underscores the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to border security that involves all affected states and federal authorities.
Furthermore, this issue highlights the need for a comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the root causes of illegal immigration and provides viable pathways for legal entry into the United States. While border security measures are necessary to ensure the safety and security of the nation, they must be accompanied by efforts to address the underlying factors driving illegal immigration.
In conclusion, as Texas intensifies its border security efforts, it is clear that illegal entries are shifting to other states where similar measures are not being enforced. This poses challenges for those states and underscores the need for a collaborative approach to border security. The issue of illegal immigration requires a comprehensive solution that goes beyond border enforcement to address the root causes and provide viable pathways for legal entry into the United States. Only through such an approach can we effectively address the issue and ensure the safety and security of our nation.
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