Unauthorized immigrants' jailings set to rise in Valley

Web Posted: 06/09/2008 11:12 PM CDT

By Lynn Brezosky
Express-News

BROWNSVILLE — Unauthorized immigrants caught in a 4-mile stretch of the Rio Grande Valley sector can expect jail time even for first offenses under an expansion of the Border Patrol's Operation Streamline, the agency announced Monday.

The program drew national attention when it clogged courtrooms in the Del Rio sector with violators who previously would have been released at the border or given a notice to appear in court at a later date. In the past, few ordered to court showed up.

But Customs and Border Protection officials credit Operation Streamline with deterring would-be unauthorized crossers and allowing officials to spend more time seizing drug loads.

Because the Valley is such a high-traffic area, ranking third in apprehensions behind Tucson, Ariz., and San Diego, Calif., the program initially is being limited to a 4-mile stretch in the Fort Brown area of Brownsville, sector spokesman Ricardo Rosas said.

“We don't have word yet if it's going to expand or not,â€