Border Patrol releases PSA on highway checkpoints

Updated: Thu 7:58 PM, Nov 13, 2014
By: Christian von Preysing -Email

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LAREDO, TEXAS (KGNS) - The U.S. Border Patrol says you are required to answer all immigration questions at highway checkpoints.


The agency released that information in a public service announcement Thursday.


The PSA points to a 1976 Supreme Court ruling, agents have a right to do inspections and ask immigration questions at checkpoints.


"We have laws that give us the authority to have immigration checkpoints," said Agent Berin Salas, a spokesperson for the Border Patrol in Laredo Sector.


Salas said a driver who reaches a checkpoint is legally detained. He said that's the basis used to require answers to immigration questions.


"The checkpoint is like a second line of defense. And it's important because it denies routes to criminal organizations to smuggle people and/or drugs," said Salas.

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