Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan met with Border Patrol officials and reporters at the Yuma Sector station and at the border wall in San Luis on Thursday.
Acting Secretary McAleenan said that while the numbers of migrants being apprehended by Border Patrol officials in Yuma and other sectors has decreased significantly in recent weeks, it is still a matter of concern.
“The situation is improving by every available metric, but, and I want to be very clear about this, we remain at and beyond crisis levels in illegal crossings even as our initiatives to address irregular flows and mitigate humanitarian conditions are making an impact,” McAleenan said.
McAleenan said an investigation into last month's allegations by some migrant youths of mistreatment and even sexual abuse by some agents is ongoing.
He added that officials will continue to assess the need for the temporary soft-sided (tent) facility in Yuma depending on the number of migrants in custody.
McAleenan met with U.S. Senator Martha McSally and Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more coverage from the secretary's visit.
