Border patrol agents in the Tucson sector said the 262 miles along Arizona’s border with Mexico can be downright dangerous for them.

Surveillance cameras show people on the Mexican side of the border hurling rocks over the fence at agents.

“It's a major problem and it's increasing, said Agent Mike Scioli. "That's the danger of it."

According to Scioli, assaults against border patrol agents are up 22 percent from last year. He blames frustrated human smugglers.

"Now we have more manpower, the fencing is up and the technology,” said Scioli. “It's made their job a lot more difficult."

Pictures provided by Scioli show the effects of the violent attack against agents with bloody eyes and faces.

Scioli said agents who are stationary for long periods of time while watching the border now do so in rock-proof trucks.

The truck’s most vulnerable areas including the windshield and windows are covered in special caging designed to protect the glass and the agent inside.

Even with the protection, agent Scioli said it’s scary.

“It's a shocking experience first off,” said Scioli. “You're hearing large rattles being banged off all over the place, especially at night, when you don't know where it's coming from.”

Scioli believes that as long as he and his fellow border patrol agents are cracking down on human and drug smugglers, the violence will continue.

"It's the nature of the beast out here. We're on the border. We're America's front line. This is what we do," said Scioli.

Caught On Tape: Border patrol agents attacked with rocks
Reported by: Rebecca Thomas
Last Update: 3:39 pm