Heat 'distress' leads to migrant rescue in Yuma Sector

(The Center Square) – Migrants in the Yuma sector of the border are “healthy” following a “distress” incident in the desert on Monday.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with the Yuma Air Branch, was tasked with rescuing five migrants on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge for heat and dehydration-related issues while crossing into the United States. According to a news release , the Mexican Consulate was contacted, and they were all considered in good enough shape for “removal proceedings” after getting medical care.

“We work closely with our partner agencies,” Douglas Murray, Yuma Air Branch director, said in a statement. “Every scenario presents its own unique set of challenges. The thing that is the same is the dedication of all parties who work collaboratively to bring a conclusion to every incident; regardless of the outcome.”

In fiscal year 2024, migrant encounters were extremely high in the Tucson Sector, which covers the eastern part of the southern borer in Arizona, but significantly lower in the Yuma Sector, which covers some of the western part of the Arizona border. Crossings have declined since an executive order earlier this year from the Biden administration after years of high migrant encounter numbers across the border. Yuma had more than 52,000 encounters in the fiscal year, compared with over 452,000 encounters in Tucson, according to CBP data .

“As is evidenced by this case, when migrants cross the border illegally, they put their lives in peril regardless of the time of year,” Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin said in a statement. “The terrain along the border is extreme, the relentless summer heat is severe, and remote areas are unforgiving. Far too many people making a similar trek have died of dehydration and heat stroke.”

The high heat in the desert continues to be a top safety concern when it comes to migrant crossings, as temperatures still continue to range from the 80s to the triple digits even in October.