Border Patrol agents in California shot and killed a robber who was robbing other migrants as they entered the United States from Mexico.
Multiple U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials confirmed that a criminal immigrant who crossed the border in the San Diego area was shot and killed by members of the Border Patrol’s elite Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) early Sunday morning.
The incident took place in a remote area, where bandits were seen entering the United States, looting migrants and returning to Mexico.
Border Patrol agents were responding to “bandit activity” Sunday morning and were walking to an area where migrants surrender to officials for processing when they encountered a small group of bandits robbing migrants.
‘Armed Robbery Gang’ Robbers Migrants Cross California Border Illegally
Armed robbers rob migrants at southern border (USBP Chief Jason Owens)
One of the bandits was shot and killed, and the rest returned to Mexico. No Border Patrol agents were harmed in the encounter.
Jason Owens, the 26th U.S. Border Patrol Commissioner, shared an image of an armed robbery on social media platform X on February 26, 2024.
“USBP surveillance technology near Chula Vista, California captured footage of armed robbers attacking several groups attempting to enter the country illegally,” the chief posted. “This is yet another example of the danger these criminals and smugglers pose to the public, migrants, and our agents.”
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Owens posted last week that the Border Patrol has apprehended more than 890,000 immigrants so far this year and has made more than 120,000 known escapes.
He recently revealed that law enforcement authorities have arrested nearly 180 illegal immigrants linked to gangs so far this year. Gangs, including Paisas and MS-13, are involved in murder, extortion, drugs, weapons and human trafficking, and prostitution, Owens wrote to X.
Owens also wrote that in fiscal year 2024, Border Patrol apprehended more than 6,400 targeted subjects with criminal convictions.
As influx continues, only 288 Chinese nationals were expelled from the US in 2023, despite 24,000 people encountered at the border
On February 17, Border Patrol encountered the migrants in the San Diego area. (Fox News)
This comes as more than 21,000 Chinese nationals have already been apprehended in the Border Patrol’s San Diego area alone during fiscal year 2024, raising national security concerns.
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Nearly 7.3 million immigrants have illegally crossed the Southwest border under President Biden’s watch, more than the population of 36 states, a Fox News analysis found.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
