Sandy MaloneTucson, AZ – A female U.S. Border Patrol agent was violently attacked by an illegal immigrant she was trying to take into custody at the Arizona-Mexico border on Saturday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) put out a statement that said the agent was injured in the attack, but despite being wounded, she continued to fight with her attacker until backup arrived and he could be arrested, FOX News reported.
“On March 4, 2023, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a U.S. Border Patrol agent assigned to the Tucson Sector took a subject into custody near Foudy Road and State Route 92, after investigating the subject’s illegal entry into the U.S,” the CBP statement read.
“While being placed in a service vehicle, the subject assaulted the agent, injuring the agent’s face and hands,” it continued.
“The assaulted agent was transported for medical treatment,” the statement continued. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the assault on a federal officer. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating.”
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told FOX News that if the federal government didn’t prosecute the suspect who assaulted the border patrol agent in the Tucson Sector, his office would make it happen locally.
“He’s in federal custody in Tucson,” Sheriff Dannels told the network in a text. “If the U.S. Attorney declines prosecution, we will pursue charges at the local [county] level.”
NEW: Per federal sources, a female Border Patrol agent working solo was violently assaulted by a male illegal immigrant she was taking into custody in the Tucson, AZ sector early Saturday AM, leaving her with injuries.
CBP confirms assault in statement & says FBI investigating. pic.twitter.com/bHQmDN7LH7— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) March 5, 2023
Assaults on U.S. Border Patrol agents by illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States have skyrocketed during President Joe Biden’s administration, the New York Post reported.
In 2023 so far, 217 agents have been assaulted.
CBP statistics showed that 40 agents were assaulted in January, 49 in December, 55 in November and 73 in October, FOX News reported.
That’s up from 159 assaults on border patrol agents in 2022, 118 in 2021, and 130 in 2020.
Holly Matkin
