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Yuma Border Patrol Says Apprehension Numbers Down, Migrants From Other Countries

Victor Calderón/KAWC
Border Patrol Agent Jose Garibay of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office speaks to reporters in front of border fencing that will replace the vehicle barriers along the Colorado River between Yuma and San Luis on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol officials said Friday they have seen a steady and consistent decrease in the number of migrant apprehensions in the later months of 2019.

Where they once saw more than 400 migrants a day and up to 14,000 in one month, that number is down to about about 40 people a day and about 700 apprehended in November.

Agent Jose Garibay told KAWC that the people apprehended has shifted away from Latin American family units and unaccompanied children to single adults from China, Sri Lanka, Brazil and other countries.

“The crisis is not over," Garibay said. "We are experiencing a lull. It’s important for the public to know the factors that bring migrants here are not closed. It’s only because of our efforts and those of the Mexican government that we have been able to get them to more manageable levels.”

Garibay said border fencing construction continues with work in the Barry Goldwater Range expected to begin in early 2020.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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