That slow moving caravan and its final arrival led to a variety of outraged posts on mainstream media, but very little coverage of the dramatic increase in assault against those guarding the border.
According to figures from the United States Border Patrol, assaults on U.S. citizens charged with guarding the board have soared exponentially. According to Chief Rodney Scott, who is in charge of the San Diego section of the border, assaults on border patrol agents have risen by 300 percent since the migrant caravans arrived from Central America.
That 300 percent figure becomes more alarming when you realize that most of the attacks against border patrol employees came in just a two month period, according to The Blaze. The bulk of the migrant caravan arrived in late November.
“These incursions are organized they are bringing people down there for the express purpose of provoking a confrontation,” Border Patrol agent Joshua Wilson said. “Having that barrier helps prevent many assaults on agents and that’s something the public really needs to understand…It’s not just a border security measure it’s a measure for agents’ safety as well.”
The assaults have taken many forms. On New Year’s Eve, a border agent was struck in the face by a rock thrown by a caravan member. Others have been pelted with debris, concrete chunks, food and more. While the border patrol has not released the exact number of incidents and assaults against their team, they have released the dramatic percentages that showcase the increasing risk faced by those charged with protecting San Diego and the nation’s borders.
The current government shutdown is having an impact along the border as Democrats continue to block measures to fund border security. President Donald Trump’s $5 billion request for a border wall would help protect not only the nation, but those working at the border. Democrats say they prefer technology based measures like drones – that would watch the border but not pose a physical barrier to entry. A physical wall would help protect borer agents and likely decrease the number of assaults they face from inbound migrants.
While the attacks on border agents pose a significant and immediate danger, many of those in the caravan have undertaken the journey in poor health and with a variety of infectious diseases. According to the Department of Homeland Security, members of the caravan include about 500 identified criminals who pose further risk to the border and to United States Citizens.
Since the Federal Government is required to hold hearings for asylum seekers, but has a limited number of resources to do so, the caravan and members are here to stay. Border agents face continued elevated risk as tempers run short and migrants run out of patience at the border.
~ Liberty Planet
