Vice President Kamala Harris arrived at Bisbee-Douglas International Airport in Douglas, Arizona, at 5:19 p.m. ET (2:19 p.m. PT) and was warmly welcomed by local, state, and federal Arizona officials. The airport's proximity to the US-Mexico border set the stage for an important visit.
During her visit, Harris received a comprehensive briefing on the situation at the US southern border from two border patrol agents. The briefing was led by John Modlin, the chief patrol agent of the Tucson Sector of the US Border Patrol, and Blaine Bennett, the border patrol agent in charge at the US Customs and Border Protection Douglas Station, as confirmed by the White House.
The Vice President engaged with officials from the Tucson Sector and Douglas Border Patrol Station, gaining valuable insights into the border security measures in place. As part of the briefing, Harris had the opportunity to observe a border barrier that was constructed between 2011 and 2012. Additionally, she heard firsthand accounts from US Customs and Border Protection officials regarding their ongoing efforts to combat traffickers and transnational criminal organizations operating in the region.
The Douglas Border Patrol Station, situated within the US Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, oversees approximately 262 miles of the border. This strategic location places the station at the forefront of border security operations, highlighting the critical role it plays in safeguarding the nation's borders.
