Thread: C.B.P. West Texas Operations 2009

C.B.P. News Release

Major Facility Improvements, Significant Enforcement Activity Highlight Year for CBP’s West Texas Area Operations

(Wednesday, November 25, 2009)

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded a number of highlights during the recently completed fiscal year 2009 which began October 1, 2008 and ended September 30, 2009. For example, CBP personnel working at, between and above the border in far West Texas and New Mexico seized a quarter million pounds (250,718) of illegal drugs while performing their anti-terror mission.

CBP officers at the El Paso port of entry opened the newly renovated Paso Del Norte crossing April 24. The $26.6 million 900-day construction project was completed ahead of schedule and increased overall inspectional capacity from five to 14 pedestrian lanes and from nine to 11 car lanes. Other improvements included expanded buildings, new canine kennels, added parking, a bus lane and office space for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Another port of entry highlight during the previous 12-month period was the full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) on June 1. WHTI requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older to present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. WHTI-compliant documents include a passport, U. S. passport card, enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs) or a Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST). For more information, visit the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative page. ( Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative )

“Major port of entry improvements and the implementation of WHTI and associated technology upgrades will improve international travel and trade in this important corridor for many years,â€

Kudos to both CBP and ICE for stepping up their enforcement efforts on the border. However, Napolitano, Obama and all of their OBL friend will say that the US is now secure from criminal illegal aliens. I think that this is far from true. What facts do we have to show this is not true? I know local communities have become saddled with horrendous expenses in imprisoning this riff raff that has sneaked in over the years. We should be demanding at several hundred billion from Mexico for imprisoning their criminal element.