Thread: Illegal immigrant apprehensions down in southern N.M.

Illegal immigrant apprehensions down in southern N.M.

09:04 AM MST on Wednesday, April 2, 2008


DEMING, N.M. (AP) -- The U.S. Border Patrol says the number of illegal immigrants apprehended along the New Mexico-Mexico border has fallen 68 percent.

The agent in charge of the Border Patrol station in Deming, Rick Moody, says 2,493 illegal immigrants have been apprehended so far this year.

He says that compares with 7,734 apprehensions during the same period last year.

Moody credits an increase in Border Patrol agents and Operation Jumpstart for the decline.

He says there are 300 people assigned to the Deming station, compared with about 150 agents there in June 2006.

President Bush in May 2005 ordered 6,000 National Guard troops to New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and California to help the Border Patrol stem illegal immigration.

http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/ ... d46df.html

That is absolutely astounding.

Here that Washington,D.C.????

Apprehensions down 68 percent along border, statistics show
By Kevin Buey/For the Sun-News
Article Launched: 04/02/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT



Success of increased presence of U.S. Border Patrol and of Operation Jump Start in slowing the flow of illegal immigrants across the southern New Mexico border might be measured in statistics compiled by the USBP.

"We're down about 70 percent in apprehensions," said Rick Moody, agent- in-charge of the Deming USBP Station. "Year-to-date in 2007, (we had) 7,734 apprehensions. Year to date in '08, 2,493. That's a 68 percent reduction. We have a lot more agents. Operation Jump Start came on line here — that was a contribution that was made."

The federal operation deployed National Guard troops along the California to Texas borders with Mexico, with the Guard working as eyes and ears for the USBP. Guard troops report movement of suspected illegal immigrants and agents respond to a given area.

Operation Jumpstart is in a descending mode, but state and federal officials are seeking an extension of the program.

The Deming Station, Moody said, had about 150 agents when OJS began in June 2006. The station now has more than 300 men and women assigned. There are more in the academy in Artesia and it's projected Deming will have 450 agents by year's end.

"Activity is still declining," Moody said.

"We are still continuing installation of tactical structures — fencing — helping us secure the borders from drive-throughs. We are continuing to address the national strategy in the Deming area."
Area's law enforcement agencies have been interested viewers of Mexico's promised deployment of soldiers to the State of Chihuahua, given the amount of violence in Chihuahua this year. It's estimated 200 people have been killed in Juarez this year, perhaps 40 in and around Palomas. The latter number includes four men shot in the city in recent weeks. Another four were found on a ranch southwest of Palomas. There's been no word on whether the deaths on property where two homes were also burned is related to what officials say is a turf war among drug cartels for area control.

"We think the deployment is still in progress," Moody said of arrival of Mexican soldiers in the Palomas area. "People seeing soldiers are seeing local Palomas soldiers who are on patrol, rather than those at checkpoints south of Palomas."

Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos said at a Tuesday meeting of Deming Crime Stoppers that several agencies — county, state and federal — have discussed scenarios for protecting the Columbus Port of Entry in the event violence in Palomas extends to Port property. The LCSO continues to monitor boarding and exit of students from Deming School buses at the Port. About 400 youngsters from Palomas — American citizens — attend Deming schools.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_8776698