[SteveStromberg]

Border apprehensions on rise; 100,000 more than last year

By Patti Lewis
Posted: Thursday, May 6, 2004 4:51 PM PDT

Nogales International

Illegal immigrant apprehensions have skyrocketed in the Tucson sector.

Halfway into this fiscal year, which began in October, agents have detained over 100,000 more migrants than during the entire past fiscal year. Apprehensions in the Nogales corridor, which includes both Nogales and Sonoita stations, have nearly doubled last year's totals.

Agents operating in the Nogales corridor have detained 53,000 undocumented migrants as of May 4, said Andy Adame, Border Patrol spokesman.

During fiscal year 2003, agents apprehended 28,000 agents.

Rising numbers of arrests reflect both an increase in illegal immigration and stepped-up enforcement along the Arizona Border, Adame said.

The $10 million Arizona Border Control Initiative was announced in March by the Department of Homeland Security. The plan calls for increasing the number of agents assigned to the Tucson sector and adding technological resources along the border.

Adame said this time of year usually sees a spike in illegal immigration. Economic problems and increasing unemployment coupled with a six-year drought in northern Mexico have driven larger numbers of Mexican nationals to cross the border illegally.

"Jobs are running out down there," he said.

Agents conduct periodic surveys of migrants in custody to ascertain their reasons for attempting a border crossing. Most often, they tell agents that the possibility of employment in the United States is their incentive to cross, Adame said.

Agents are now patrolling remote areas that were previously left uncovered. The increase in vigilance has led to more apprehensions, both of illegal immigrants and drugs.

The Tucson sector will receive an additional 200 agents by June. Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) will fly over remote areas along the border to assist in monitoring the border.

In addition to more agents and UAVs, Border Patrol received four new helicopters, Adame said.

Over 100 agents assigned to BORSTAR, the agency's search and rescue unit, and BORTAC, Border Patrol's tactical unit, are working in the Tucson sector, he said.

The agency has also been seizing record numbers of vehicles. According to a Border Patrol press release, over $20 million in assets have been seized so far this fiscal year. Such assets include homes, vehicles and currency.

During the month of March, agents seized 903 vehicles in the Tucson sector. Vehicle seizures are increasing, with 3,406 cars or trucks used in smuggling taken by Border Patrol since October.

Stolen vehicles are often used to transport illegal immigrants and drugs. Border Patrol reported the recovery of 228 stolen vehicles this fiscal year.