Border Patrol Encounter: Smugglers Shoot and Injure Two Men Near Sasabe, Arizona

Border Patrol agents patrolling the remote desert west of Sasabe, Arizona, uncovered a harrowing scene involving two men with gunshot wounds inflicted in Mexico. The discovery occurred on December 19 as agents detained a group of seven individuals. Among them, a 22-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds in both upper thighs, while a 42-year-old man sustained an ankle injury from what officials described as “rival smugglers,” according to the Tucson Sector of Border Patrol.

The motives behind the shootings remain elusive, though there are alarming precedents. smuggling organizations in the region have a history of inflicting violence upon vulnerable individuals. In 2013, agents found a Mexican man who had crawled across the border after being brutally attacked, with his throat slashed. Mexican authorities later discovered three additional victims with similar injuries, two of whom were deceased. Such violent acts, often linked to cartel activity, have pushed many migrants to flee northward, especially amid escalating violence in towns like Sasabe, Sonora.

The area, with its modest population of around 50 residents, has become a focal point for migration. Despite efforts to construct a 30-foot high border wall along the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge’s perimeter, many migrants still cross in significant numbers. They navigate the harsh terrain, either bypassing or circumventing the barriers erected to deter their passage.

As Christmas 2023 approached, the plight of migrants arriving from diverse backgrounds—Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Lebanon, Chad, and Cameroon—came into stark focus. They faced freezing rain and extended waits before receiving aid from volunteers. In the months to come, the situation showed no signs of abating, with volunteers stepping up to establish camps equipped with essential supplies for those in desperate need.

Throughout the year, the demographics of those crossing into the U.S. have varied. Small groups of men from Nepal and India, along with families from Mexico, have made their way across the rugged desert terrain. Incidents along the border have raised concerns about safety, highlighted by a mid-June accident in which two Border Patrol vehicles collided, injuring an agent and several migrants. Struggles persisted in August when a 60-year-old man required rescue after a dangerous fall from the border wall.

Although apprehension numbers have seen a notable decline following President Biden’s June proclamation limiting asylum access for illegal crossings, a steady trickle of individuals continues to brave the elements. Troy Miller, head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, stated on December 19 that these policy changes resulted in a 60 percent decrease in unlawful border crossings from May to November—marking the lowest levels since 2020.

Humanitarian efforts remain vital in the area. Recently, volunteers from the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans assisted stranded migrants, including a young man who faced multiple injuries after a fall in the desert, having gone without food or water for four days. Volunteers also encountered young girls from India who detailed harrowing experiences of lengthy treks, violence, and severe beatings throughout their journey.