Octavio Torres

“Ever since Operation Gatekeeper in 1994 under the Clinton administration, it’s all been about prevention through deterrence,”

Octavio Torres · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Octavio Torres discussed historical US border enforcement policies centered on deterrence.

“And that’s what has driven people into the Arizona desert for the last 32 years.”

Octavio Torres · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Octavio Torres explained how border deterrence policies pushed migrants into the Arizona desert.

“Out of desperation, people think, ‘How else can I get in?’”

Octavio Torres · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Octavio Torres explained how desperate circumstances compel migrants to seek dangerous alternatives.

“When the current administration is talking about closing the border, I think that they’ve been very effective at closing legal ports of entry and making it darn near impossible for people to actually enter the country or, as certain groups in the country like to say, ‘Come in the right way,’”

Octavio Torres · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Octavio Torres commented on US policies closing legal ports of entry to asylum seekers.