A fifth-generation Arizona rancher, Jim Chilton, who owns Chilton Ranch along the southern border, has expressed his fears that cartels are using diversionary tactics to flood certain areas with migrants. Chilton believes that this strategy is meant to lure Border Patrol agents away from other areas, creating an opportunity for the cartels to smuggle in terrorists and drugs. The situation has become so concerning that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had to divert resources, leading to the closure of the Lukeville, Arizona, port of entry on December 4.
Reporters on the ground witnessed hundreds of single male migrants camped out along the border wall, and on December 5, many rushed through gaps in the wall. Chilton believes that the cartels direct migrants to specific locations to cause Border Patrol to focus on processing people there, while simultaneously opening up other routes for drug packers and criminals. The surge of migrants on December 4 alone reached over 12,000 individuals, breaking the previous daily record. The Tucson Sector, which includes Lukeville, experienced a significant surge, with 18,900 migrant apprehensions in the first week of December, surpassing the entire month’s encounters in 2021.
Chilton emphasizes the seriousness of the issue, raising concerns about potential terrorists and drugs making their way into the country while Border Patrol is diverted. In fiscal year 2023, CBP data revealed that 169 individuals on the FBI terror watch lists were encountered between ports of entry at the southern border, exceeding the previous year’s record and the combined encounters of the six previous fiscal years. Chilton draws attention to the devastating impact terrorists have had in the past, such as the 9/11 attacks and the recent ambush by Hamas terrorists in Israel.
While drug seizures along the border decreased between 2022 and 2023, the influx of fentanyl continued to pose a significant threat. CBP reported a staggering 89% increase in fentanyl seizures, with nearly 27,000 pounds confiscated in fiscal year 2023. Chilton accuses the cartels of deliberately flooding the border with drugs and people, aiming to overwhelm Border Patrol resources.
The concerns raised by Jim Chilton shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by Border Patrol in securing the southern border. The diversionary tactics employed by cartels not only pose a threat to national security but also contribute to the growing drug crisis in the United States. As the situation continues to unfold, it is imperative for authorities to address these issues effectively to ensure the safety and well-being of the nation.
