11 Iranian Migrants Caught Illegally Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border

By Mary Anne R. (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Feb 05, 2021 03:17 AM EST

Members of the Mexican army prevent journalists from walking with some members of a caravan of Central Americans who spent weeks traveling across Mexico as they cross from Mexico onto the U.S. side of the border to ask authorities for asylum on April 29, 2018 in Tijuana, Baja California Norte, Mexico. More than 300 immigrants, the remnants of a caravan of Central Americans that journeyed across Mexico to ask for asylum in the United States, have reached the border to apply for legal entry. (Photo : David McNew/Getty Images)

Border patrol agents from Yuma arrested 11 Iranians, including two children, after they crossed illegally into the United States from Mexico on Monday night.

The agents encountered the group near San Luis, Arizona on a bridge near County 21st Street and were brought to Yuma Station for processing.

Among those arrested in the group were five women, ages 28, 30, 35, 35, and 37. There were also four men, ages 24, 31, 36, and 43. Two boys, ages 10 and 12, were also among the group, according to a 12 News report.

Yuma Sector officials stressed that the Border Patrol's primary mission is to prevent nefarious people and devices from entering the United States.

"Iran is a designated Special Interest Country and the agents of Yuma Sector work diligently to protect our borders for the safety of our nation," the officials said in a Breitbart report.

Officials further noted that the Yuma Sector continues to lead the apprehension of Iranian illegal migrants. Citing the records during the last fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, they said Yuma Sector agents arrested eight Iranians. This compares to a total of 14 from the other eight sectors along the U.S. southwest border with Mexico.

Iran as a Special Interest Country

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement regarding the Iranian group's arrest. The agency said Iran is a special interest country, which means that the U.S. regards the country as having terrorist and terrorist organizations.

The agency did not provide details on how the Iranians got to Mexico or why they entered the country, according to a The Hill report.

The statement noted that the Yuma Sector agents regularly encounter people from various parts of the world, including those in special interest countries.

"Agents adjudicate each arrest in accordance with law and policy in order to secure our nation's borders," the statement added.

Border Crossing

The CBP reported a 219 percent increase in single adults' encounters in the El Paso sector, which includes West Texas and New Mexico.

According to a USA Today report, border agents recorded 23,869 encounters from October to December, which is an increase from 7,474 encounters during the same three months a year ago.

Meanwhile, Border Patrol listed a 178 percent increase across the entire southwest border regarding encounters in the first three months of the fiscal year from 65,085 to 180,633.

Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief Gloria Chavez said that for them as U.S. Border Patrol, they have gotten used to the constant change. In her experience, Chavez added some of this change is planned, and sometimes it just happens, and they adapt and overcome those changes.

The administration under President Joe Biden is trying to undo some immigration policies instilled by the Trump administration.

It includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order that allows Border Patrol to quickly return migrants to their home country. This policy might be the most challenging policy to undo, especially that there is still an ongoing health crisis.

Tags Iranian, border, crossing, Border Patrol, Migrants