US Border Patrol Rescues 64 Illegal Immigrants Trapped in Tractor Trailers

Patches line the bottom of the border barrier where illegal migrants cut through the fence, along the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego on July 12, 2017. Joshua Philipp/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said on Thursday that nine Americans were arrested for illegally smuggling 64 people near the Arizona border.

“In addition to securing and protecting our nation’s borders, frontline Border Patrol agents are committed to reducing heat-related injuries and preventing deaths along our borders,” said U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Carla L. Provost in a statement. “These rescues are a result of stepped-up enforcement at our immigration checkpoints coupled with our search and rescue efforts that are key to preventing unnecessary loss of life.”