C.B.P. News Releases

CBP Officers at El Paso Ports Discover Numerous Violations

(Friday, September 05, 2008)

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, Texas and New Mexico border crossings seized thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics, detected dozens of immigration violations, apprehended fugitives and seized numerous prohibited agriculture items this week.

In the last seven days, area CBP officers uncovered 110 immigration violations. Imposters continue to be the largest group of violators. A total of 58 were identified through thorough document exams and officer interviews. Imposters generally will use a valid entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. CBP officers this week also intercepted 34 intended immigrants. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (DSP 150 -laser visa) to live and work in the United States, which is not authorized. In these cases, violators are returned to Mexico and their documents are removed. CBP officers also recorded 11 cases of people making false claims to U. S. citizenship, people attempting to enter with counterfeit documents, and people attempting to enter without inspection.

In addition to the immigration violations, area CBP officers made 17 drug seizures during the past week. CBP officers kept 1,820 pounds of marijuana out of the U.S. and sent 17 individuals to jail.

“This is a fine example of the vigilance of our CBP officersâ€