U.S. Border Patrol Agents in Arizona have reportedly been using concertina to reinforce portions of the southern border near ports of entrance. The Arizona Republic reported that agents in Nogales, San Luis, and Yuma Sector of Border Patrol have been installing additional miles of concertina fence. Justin De La Torre is the chief patrol agent for the Yuma Sector.

The outlet reported that an additional 14 miles of concertina wire has been installed atop the primary and secondary fence along the Arizona-Mexico Border. The barbed wire roll is intended to “deter” illegal drugs and people who cross the border without permission.

“The way we prevent that from happening in the first place is to ensure that there’s a very high likelihood that people who try to do that are not successful,” De La Torre said.

Agents of Border Patrol have concentrated on fence sections located near densely populated urban areas. A truck depot located a few hundred yards from the border wall is one such location.

The Arizona Republic reported that the patrol agent at Nogales, Jose Luis Maheda said, “We only have seconds or minutes to apprehend them as soon as we see them.” If we don’t make this apprehension here, they will go in the semi-trucks or into a car waiting for them and then they will go into traffic.

Nogales residents are not all in favor of the concertina wire.

“Unfortunately, they put it in the interior of the city where it doesn’t give a nice view,” Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado said, 13 News reported.

Under President Donald Trump, the number of migrants encountered continues to decrease.

Agents of the Border Patrol in Arizona reported 5620 encounters between people and ports of entry. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this is 10 times less than the same period a year ago.

KUSI reported that U.S. soldiers in San Ysidro (California) were installing long posts and barbed wire against the border wall.

The military personnel was part of the initial wave sent south to the border by Trump’s executive orders.

The Pentagon announced on February 7 that an additional 1,500 active duty troops will be deployed to the southern border of the United States. The total number of active duty troops on the border increased to around 3,600 after the deployment.