Surprisingly overlooked is the alleged collaborative effort between Border Patrol and the Tohono O'odham Nation, resulting in the construction of a substantial tent-like structure employed at the San Miguel Gate. This noteworthy development has yet to receive significant attention or discussion in public discourse.
In 2020, a comparable facility was constructed in El Paso, Texas, encompassing 153,300 square feet on 28 acres. Designed to bolster migrant processing procedures, this facility, boasting a 1,000-person capacity, serves as a supplement to the El Paso Sector U.S. Border Patrol Central Processing Center, which was established at Hondo Pass in the autumn of 2020.
Situated on Tohono O'odham Nation land and administered by U.S. Border Patrol and Customs, the area became the focal point of my investigative journey. En route, I encountered a detour when I was pulled over, subjected to a search, and accused of human trafficking. Promptly disclosing my journalistic affiliation and the origin of my travels from Ajo, Arizona, I was eventually released with a warning, alluding to potential insights from Native police. Undeterred, I pressed forward, navigating the landscape with heightened scrutiny as I delved deeper into the unfolding narrative.
Upon my departure and transition to the next destination, Native police eventually made an appearance. They courteously guided me through the procedural aspects and surprisingly disclosed that the existence of the facility was not publicly known within the reservation. Furthermore, they asserted that Border Patrol was deliberately maintaining a discreet profile regarding this facility. Subsequently, I have initiated contact with the Tucson sector chief seeking clarification and comment on these revelations.
Over the years, the Tohono O'odham Nation Council displayed reluctance in permitting Border Patrol operations on tribal land, firmly opposing President Trump's wall during his administration. In expressing their stance, the Nation conveyed a sentiment that underscored a persistent unwillingness to endorse certain border security measures within their jurisdiction, emphasizing the importance of their sovereignty and the delicate balance between security concerns and their community's values.
During mid-December, the San Miguel Gate bore witness to a daily influx of 800-1000 migrant crossings, predominantly comprising women, children, and families. The Tohono O'odham Nation maintains its unwavering commitment to addressing this crisis, prioritizing community safety as a paramount concern.
The Border Patrol Council contends that a substantial portion of fentanyl smuggling and human trafficking occurs within this specific sector of the U.S. border. The intricate network of narrow roads extending over extensive distances compounds the challenges associated with monitoring and addressing these illicit activities.
Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose told a House panel in December that while migrants crossing his reservation are causing problems, those are overshadowed by problems from the construction of the border wall meant to stop migration.
“Construction of a wall on federal lands near our reservation also interferes with the flow of scarce, vital water resources on which plants and wildlife depend. Our tribal members rely on these plants for food, medicine and cultural purposes,” Jose said in his testimony.
The veracity of the information remains elusive, yet it is evident that an undisclosed entity harbors a reluctance for the dissemination of this knowledge among the American populace.