An Arizona sector chief for U.S. Border Patrol announced his team would stop posting updates on the southern border to social media amid record-breaking crossings, prompting concerns the federal authorities may be attempting to limit information on the migrant crisis.
“In light of the ongoing migration surge, all Tucson Sector Border Patrol social media accounts will be paused until further notice,” said John Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent for the CBP Tucson Sector, on Sunday.
“We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this challenging time,” he added.
Not everyone expressed understanding of the move, however: “Just days [after] Border Patrol’s Tuscon sector reported having 15,300 illegal crossings last week (highest weekly total ever), Tucson sector BP says it’s pausing its social media until further notice due to “ongoing migration surge,” commented reporter Bill Melugin.
“Regardless of the reasoning behind this – this is such a bad look,” he continued, noting that media makes use of data and photographs uploaded to the Tuscon account regularly.
“Essentially – the border crisis in the sector is so bad that they’re going to cut off all communication and transparency with the public,” he added.
Regardless of the reasoning behind this – this is such a bad look.
Essentially – the border crisis in the sector is so bad that they’re going to cut off all communication and transparency with the public. We routinely use the photos & data from this account. It’s unacceptable.— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 26, 2023
