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Arizona Border Patrol agents arrested hundreds of immigrants attempting to enter the country illegally over the past few weeks, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

On Thursday, Border Patrol agents assigned at the Yuma Station apprehended 23 groups of immigrants from seven countries. Most of them were from Guatemala and traveling as families, while others were unaccompanied children.

According to the CBP, a total of 188 immigrants attempted to enter the United States within a 33-hour period. These arrests occurred between noon on Tuesday and 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Large Groups of Immigrants Illegally Entered Lukeville, Arizona

On September 8, Border Patrol agents assigned at the Ajo Station encountered another large group of immigrants near Senita Basin, north of Lukeville, Arizona.

The group was composed of 111 adults and children from Guatemala and 10 from El Salvador. It surrendered to border patrol agents, according to CBP.

On September 4, Border Patrol agents discovered 163 immigrants a few miles west of the port of entry in Lukeville. A week earlier, they found another group, totaling 103 immigrants, who they say entered the U.S. illegally.

Previously, on August 20, Ajo Station Border Patrol agents arrested 128 immigrants abandoned by their smugglers.

Transnational Criminal Organizations 'Blatantly Disregard Human Life'

In a statement, Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch said, “This is where our law enforcement mission quickly turns from enforcing immigration laws to preserving life by ensuring the welfare and well-being of these migrant families.”

In addition, he stressed that “transnational criminal organizations are exploiting these immigrant families." He said they are also “demonstrating their blatant disregard for human life.”

Border Patrol agents noted an increasing number of immigrants surrendering along the border. They processed all the apprehended individuals for immigration violations.