The heat has been brutal. The smugglers continue to bring these people to the vastness of our western deserts ... and we cannot control the elements.

That does not mean the Tucson Sector is going to send any yet.

We need the permanent checkpoints - they send a message of deterrence.

The reason for the increase is because we have a lot more agents out there. We have 2,400 agents, and we're making it a lot more difficult [to enter]. We're frustrating their efforts because we have a constant presence along the borders.

We had 39 days of extreme heat. That's what led to the spike in the deaths in the summer months. We had 61 deaths in July alone.

We have to keep evolving as people and keep it fresh. Life has its twists and turns, and being comfortable in your skin and loving yourself is the best way to get through life.