BP updates citizens on reform, initiatives
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:35 AM PDT



Analysis by Jim Price

Members of the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) to the U.S. Border Patrol Nogales Station were brought up to speed on immigration reform and the Secure Borders Initiative (SBI) at the June and July meetings.

Word from Washington, D.C., is that there may be efforts at passing select parts of the immigration reform bill that failed last month. Taken as a complete package, there were too many deficiencies, but individual components are thought to have value.

In the meantime, a border caucus is reportedly lobbying for more funds through the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to help cover costs incurred by service providers including first responders, hospitals, and local law enforcement. Forty percent of the Sonoita-Elgin emergency services budget goes to action required by problems related to illegal immigrants.

It was explained that the Kilometer 50 checkpoint location selected by the Border Patrol is an interim solution to a long-term problem. By setting up at a point where intruders entering through the Sasabe-Arivaca area along with those entering closer to Nogales can be intercepted, the checkpoint will assist the Border Patrol in stemming much of the unlawful activity along I-19.

Plans are to expand to five lanes northbound by paving along the shoulders. Canopies are to be installed as protection for the agents and canines deployed to the checkpoint. SBI technology will help with perimeter security while a permanent checkpoint is developed.

Press reports

Comments regarding press reports that the SBI camera towers and related equipment are not as effective as originally projected were addressed by Border Patrol agents.. SBI is an evolving project with constant testing and adjustment. Varying terrain along the border requires different technology and deployment.

Based on test results, the primary contractor is continually developing new technology, while the Border Patrol is working with variable deployment matrixes.

Of significant note was a report that the towers have equipment capable of detecting motion up to 35 feet below the surface as well as along a 10-mile-wide expanse above ground.

One rancher-member of the CAB said that the camera towers have led to a major decrease in traffic across the area south of Tubac. Responding to criticism from people who say the Border Patrol should limit its activities to the immediate border, a participating Border Patrol agent said that it would be tantamount to a football team putting everyone on the line and doing away with the defensive secondary. The layered approach being utilized by the Border Patrol provides protection on the front line and up-range, with significant support from Tucson.

The front lines

A civilian participant said that maybe the people on the front lines should just concentrate on forcing illegal drugs and entrants to skirt the southern communities, even if it works against the Border Patrol program of defense in depth.

"Once the critics find themselves overrun by illicit drugs and illegal entrants, they'll come to understand that we've been trying to help them as well as ourselves. This is a matter of Homeland Security, not Nimbyism."

Data released at the August meeting reveal that 44 percent of all national apprehensions of undocumented aliens and 50 percent of all drug seizures are being done in the Tucson Sector. Those figures reflect the fact that Tucson is the only Border Patrol Sector along the U.S.-Mexico border that does not have a permanent checkpoint.

The much-praised San Diego and El Paso Sectors are backed-up by permanent checkpoints, despite misinformation being propagated by anti-law enforcement factions in the area.

The proposed Tumacacori Wilderness Area being advanced by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), when coupled with the missing I-19 checkpoint, would create a security nightmare for those tasked with protecting the U.S. border against terrorists and their weapons.

As one civilian member said: "The smugglers aren't stupid; they're coming to where we are most vulnerable."

The next CAB meeting is slated for Sept. 11.

(Editor's note: Price is a Nogales businessman and resident, and CAB member. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Nogales International.)

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