Thread: TX: BP 'fence crew' fixes numerous holes cut along border fe

BP 'fence crew' fixes numerous holes cut along border fence

Aug 16, 2007 06:08 PM PDT

EL PASO, TX - The Border Patrol has a "fence crew" in the region that has to patch up numerous holes made by illegal immigrants in the border fence each day.

Assistant Border Patrol Agent in Charge Sal Zamora is in charge of fixing the fence holes along the border. "The fence crew welds about 15 to 20 different holes a day...just in this 13 mile span of fencing here in the El Paso area," he said.

Although many might question the effective of a fence in curbing illegal immigration, Zamora tells ABC-7 it serves avery effective purpose along the border. "Five to ten seconds can be the difference between making an apprehension or them getting away."

The areas around the holes in the fence are littered with everything from hat to Mexican pesos dropped by illegal immigrants while trying to cross into the border. Andrew Aviles, another member of the Border Fence crew stated between five to eight illegal immigrants make their way to the U.S. for every hole along the fence.

Aviles pointed out illegal immigrants cut holes in more than just border fences. ABC-7 cameras spotted a drainage tunnel with a grate that had been cut open. "This is the fourth time we've been here since this Sunday...sometimes it's the same hole every day, day after day...it's kind of like cutting your grass," he said, in regards to the tunnel.

Border Patrol agent Efren Gonzalez tells ABC-7 they never know what they are going to stumble upon while fixing the holes. "One time, I saw a group of five - one had a torch with a gas tank and another had a hammer...they can cut this grate in about five minutes or so."

"They are willing to do anything to come into the U.S. illegally," said Gonzalez.

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"They are willing to do anything to come into the U.S. illegally," said Gonzalez.

And we need to be willing to do anything to keep them out.