Controversial Border Policy Coming To San Diego?

POSTED: 8:23 pm PST February 28, 2008
UPDATED: 8:42 pm PST February 28, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- A tougher policy on illegal immigration could be coming to San Diego through a border patrol policy called 'Operation Streamline.'

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Currently, when the Border Patrol catches someone trying to enter the U.S. illegally, that person is fingerprinted, and sent back to Mexico. A different policy is being used in Texas.

There, illegal immigrants who are caught are prosecuted. First-time offenders are cited with misdemeanors. After that, harsher penalties are handed down.

A federal employee close to the operation said the policy is being considered for San Diego -- but no policy changes have been made yet. A local border patrol agent said any specifics would have to come from headquarters in Washington.

According to statistics provided to NBC 7/39 by the Border Patrol, more than 152,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended during their last fiscal year. That works out to nearly 13,000 a month and this is just within the San Diego sector.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/politics/154 ... dlineclick

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