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.
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.”
