It seems that the arrival of more US
National Guard troops in the Arizona border has scared away illegal immigrants. For, American and Mexican officials have reported the significant decrease of incidences of illegal crossings. According to the US Border Patrol, detentions have sharply dipped to 23%. Prior to the reinforcement of the border security, the state has held the highest record of illegal crossings in the US.
Meanwhile, detentions have also decreased by 31% or from 11,977 down to 8,308 along the Texas-Mexico border. Although the hot temperature is another factor that discourages illegal immigrants from crossing the border during the month of June, the arrival of the US troops have also contributed to reduction of illegal crossings.
The 55 soldiers from Utah, who arrived in Arizona last June 3, were just the first group of the 6,000 soldiers to be sent by the government to guard the borders. The troops though focused more in the repair of roads and the extension of fences rather than the
detention of immigrants. Needless to say, their mere presence in the area has kept away illegal crossers. Aside from the reinforcement of troops, the US government is also set to build more walls at the US-Mexico borders in order to resolve the problem of illegal immigration.
