Border Patrol agents in Arizona are facing a significant surge in illegal alien crossings, leading them to keep some of the illegal migrants outdoors in fenced-off areas due to limited resources and facilities. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson confirmed that the agency is dealing with a large number of migrants crossing into the desert area near Ajo, where agents have been forced to reduce the time in custody to 15 hours before transporting them to more populated areas with better facilities.

The region in Ajo is known for its extreme heat, with ground temperatures exceeding 150 degrees, making it one of the hottest and most dangerous areas along the southwest border. CBP officials have reported that smuggling organizations are callously sending migrants to walk for miles in this perilous terrain, often with little or no water.

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Media reports have shown pictures of a chain-linked fence surrounding an area where migrants are being held, prompting some outlets to describe it as a “cage.” These reports have sparked controversy and accusations of mistreatment from immigration rights groups. However, CBP asserts that it is smugglers who are abandoning migrants in the middle of the desert, and the agency is working to transport them quickly to receive care.

Daily migrant crossings along the Arizona desert have spiked by over 100% in recent days, despite temperatures surpassing 110 degrees.

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The Ajo station is not equipped to handle large numbers of migrants, as historically, the area has seen relatively few crossings.

As a result, migrants are rapidly transported to other parts of Arizona with better facilities to accommodate them. CBP emphasizes that agents assess and screen migrants, prioritize the care of vulnerable individuals, and provide necessary amenities while awaiting transport.

While some adult male migrants may be rotated to the outside facility as needed, CBP states that the area is shaded, monitored, and equipped with bathrooms, meals, and water. If migrants show signs of illness or express discomfort, they are brought inside for screening and further evaluation.

The Biden administration is also facing legal battles over asylum rules that restrict asylum claims for migrants who entered illegally and failed to seek asylum in a prior country of transit.