TUCSON, AZ - The U.S. Border Patrol has dispatched 209 agents from across the country to help secure the Arizona/Mexico border and rescue stranded crossers in the desert.
The extra agents went to work August 4th in southern Arizona, where they will bolster the Tucson Sector's operational efforts through the end of September.
"Operation Guardian will detail manpower and equipment that will assist the Tucson Sector in securing the border. It has the added benefit of allowing us to dedicate more resources to search and rescue efforts," said Chief Patrol Agent Robert W. Gilbert.
Operation Guardian complements Operation Desert Shield which began June 1st.
Operation Desert Shield added 20 additional Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents to the Tucson Sector.
As of July 31st, agents had apprehended 1,333 undocumented immigrants and rescued 199 more from the desert heat.
