TUCSON, Ariz. – On Friday April 10, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol will host a press event in both English and Spanish, covering Border Safety Initiative (BSI) efforts to reduce border deaths and injuries along the Arizona/Mexico border. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske and Chief of Tucson Sector Manuel Padilla Jr. will address the audience regarding the importance of educating potential crossers about the inherent dangers of the desert.
The event will be held in mountainous terrain, allowing media to experience first-hand the dangerous conditions migrants face while attempting to cross the border illegally. The Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue team will lead participants on a search and rescue mission in rugged terrain to find migrants that are lost in the desert. Media will be able to conduct interviews with event attendees during the hike and immediately following the event.
The Office of Border Patrol is focused on raising awareness among migrants about the realities they may face including harsh environmental conditions, deadly temperatures, abuse by smugglers, lack of communication tools, the possibility of being apprehended by the Border Patrol, and the consequences that follow.
Date & Time: Friday, April 10, 2015, at 2 p.m.
Location: Hunters Access Road, south of Amado, Arizona. Directions: Follow Interstate 19 south until reaching Exit 40, just past the I-19 Immigration Checkpoint. Take Exit 40 and turn right towards West Frontage Road. Turn right onto the West Frontage road and follow it a short distance until you reach Hunter’s Access Road. Enter Hunters Access Road and follow until arriving to the event site. Hunters Access Road is a maintained dirt road. A Sport Utility Vehicle or Truck is recommended.
Dress Attire: Please wear appropriate attire for moderate hiking and temperatures in the 90s.
To RSVP: Please email TCAFIELDCOMMUNICATIONSBRANCH@cbp.dhs.gov. Please RSVP no later than noon on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.