Assaults On Border Agents Up From Same Period A Year Ago

December 21, 2016

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents reported being assaulted 159 times in October and November this year.

That’s a spread of nearly 20 assaults a week and far more than a reported 51 attacks on agents over the same time last year.

"Every incident is unique. Some involve U.S. citizens. Some involve illegal aliens. Some involve smuggling and various aspects of that," says Assistant U.S. Border Patrol Joshua Devack.

Federal data shows that it’s predominantly Border Patrol agents who’ve come under attack, officers at the ports of entry absorbed nine of the 159 attacks. The report also shows how often agents have so far fired their weapons once in that same two-month stretch.