The U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector paused most of its social media presence on Sunday, with Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin posting the policy change to social media.
In posts that have since been deleted from X (formerly Twitter), Modlin wrote that his agents would no longer be posting updates to social media. In one post that remains, Modlin wrote that “all Tucson Sector Border Patrol social media accounts will be temporarily reduced to maximize our available staffing,” attributing the change to “the ongoing migration surge.” He added, “[t]he social media team will return once the situation permits.”
Modlin quickly issued an additional number of posts. He apologized for his “earlier hastily written statement,” and stated he intends “to remain transparent,” but stressed that the surge in illegal immigrants entering the United States through the Tucson sector requires him to “maximize our available staffing” in Arizona. Modlin added that he will continue to post weekly updates on the total number of migrants apprehended.
In light of the ongoing migration surge, all Tucson Sector Border Patrol social media accounts will be temporarily reduced to maximize our available staffing in support of our current operational challenges.
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) November 27, 2023
Tucson continues to be the most popular destination for illegal immigrants seeking to enter the United States, with Tucson agents reporting 373,625 migrant encounters in 2023 as of October.
Additionally, The Center Square reported on Monday that officials familiar with Border Patrol operations confirmed pulling agents off certain geographic regions, or tasks, is common during surges in illegal immigration.
One agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, told the outlet it’s “normal” for agents to be relocated or reassigned, and said similar events happened “under the Trump and Obama administrations.”
Arizona-based Border Security Alliance president Jobe Dickinson made similar remarks to the outlet, adding that Modlin does “a really great job of keeping people up to date,” even if the “Biden administration has been less than forthcoming” with facts about the border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 269,735 illegal immigrant encounters across the country in September, which made it the highest on record. It was followed by 232,963 encounters in August and 183,479 in July.
Modlin previously seemed to contradict reporting suggesting family units are driving the surge in illegal immigration in the Tucson sector, telling reporters in February that most migrants are young men.
“In Tucson the vast majority of encounters are single adult males attempting to avoid detection,” Modlin said at the time. He added that most in this demographic “are completely outfitted in camouflage” by cartels or smuggling organizations, and said that “most run from and fight our agents to avoid apprehension.”
One such clash between illegal immigrants and Border Patrol agents occurred last week, when Modlin reported his agents were attacked by illegal immigrants in the presence of children as they attempted to swarm through a breach in the border wall.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
