The United States Attorney’s Office has released its immigration enforcement statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024. The data covers cases from October 1 to December 31, 2024, and involves collaborations with the Tucson and Yuma Sectors of the Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and other federal, state, and county agencies.
During this period, criminal charges were filed in Arizona against 3,141 individuals for illegal entry or re-entry into the United States. Additionally, 309 cases were brought against individuals involved in smuggling undocumented noncitizens within the District of Arizona. The office also prosecuted 46 reactive drug cases related to immigration ports of entry and checkpoints.
Efforts to reduce migrant smuggling and protect affected communities remain a priority. Prosecutions have targeted leaders of alien smuggling organizations from countries such as Mexico and Colombia. Some smugglers are U.S. citizens engaging in dangerous activities that harm economic migrants. There is also a focus on deterring young adults recruited via social media from participating in these crimes. Two juvenile smugglers faced prosecution during this time frame.
Protecting law enforcement officers is emphasized as part of border vigilance efforts. Federal prosecutors charged two defendants with assaulting federal officers during this period.
The statistics reflect prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office only and do not include those apprehended by immigration officials through administrative processes.