US Border Patrol agents face growing violent acts: CBP
- Most incidents reported at El Paso Sector
- 77 incidents include physical violence
- Man arrested for assault wanted for muder
(NewsNation) — Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border are facing a growing number of violent threats and assaults from immigrants attempting to illegally cross into the United States, data shows.
The new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection highlights the dangers that border agents face while working on the front lines of the ongoing crisis at the southern border, officials say,
In fiscal year 2023, CBP reported 571 assaults on border agents. However, between October and April, 207 assaults on agents have already taken place, the agency reports. Of those assaults, 49 have taken place in the El Paso Sector, Texas, while 32 have taken place in Tucson, Ariz., and an additional 30 have taken place along the border in San Diego.
The data shows that the majority of the assaults on border agents are physical in nature with 77 reported incidents taking place. In another 40 cases, rocks or other projectiles have been thrown at agents while 22 other assaults have taken place using a vehicle or other vessels, CBP data shows.
The new data was released just as a 32-year-old man who has been encountered at least seven times since 2011 was taken into custody following an agent-involved shooting.
Makcario Reyes remains hospitalized after he was shot in the leg by a border agent after officials said Reyes attempted to grab the agent’s gun as he was being apprehended. NewsNation has since learned that Reyes is wanted for murder in Mexico.