Border Patrol prepared to work by itself, chief says
PATRICK McGEE

DALLAS — The drop in illegal border crossings and the spike in Border Patrol agents have the agency ready to stand on its own when the National Guard ends its support mission in June, according to the Border Patrol’s top officer.

Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar said the construction of hundreds of miles of fencing and the continuing hiring of new agents should help solidify security gains on the border.

He spoke in Dallas on Tuesday where the nation’s 20 Border Patrol section chiefs met for a conference.

Fewer apprehensions

Apprehensions of illegal crossings dropped nearly 20 percent from fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2007. Officials believe that the drop means fewer people are attempting to cross illegally because they’re discouraged by increased enforcement.

More violence

Aguilar said violence against Border Patrol agents is up 47 percent from last year, with most of it in the San Diego area.

“The violence against our officers is a response of desperation,â€