Analyst: Look Beyond Border Apprehension Data
As the debate over federal immigration reform ramps up — and the border security component continues to be a major factor — statistics on border apprehensions are often used as a barometer to measure how effective security policies are.
Such data tells only part of the story, says the former director of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the country’s immigration enforcement agency before the creation of the current office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But, she added, it does indicate that security at the Texas-Mexico border has improved since the last time the issue was fiercely debated in Washington ...
Comments (10)
Jalapeño Schwartz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
With no immigration policy, border security is meaningless
Johnny Hughes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
As the cartel situation gets worse and worse, the government floats a Viet Nam like lie every so often because it is their job.
Charles Voith
I added The Texas Tribune to my daily reading last week...and have been pleasantly surprised by the balanced reporting (I am an independent voter who prefers to read non-partisan news). But this pro-amnesty article by Julio Aquilar is a disappointment. His two sources - Doris Meissner and the New York Times - are both liberal advocates for illegal-immigrant-amnesty. Meissner worked for Democratic President Bill Clinton from 1993 - 2000...and was an INS administrator who helped craft the 1986 U.S. illegal immigrant amnesty for 3+ million illegals; while the New York Times is one of the most unabashed liberal media bastions in the world (I read the NYT every day to get the liberal viewpoint of the days news...and then read the WSJ to get the conservative slant).
I hope in the future that reporter Aguilar will have a more balanced approach to reporting immigration issues...maybe contacting NumbersUSA and FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) for conservative viewpoints as well.
Charles Voith
I am noticing a definite pattern in the reporting of Julio Aguilar...indicating he might be more of an advocate than a reporter. In his 1/28/13 report "Texans Voice Praise, Concerns Over Immigration Plan", Mr. Aguilar allocated 19 of his 21 paragraphs to Democratic congressmen/Immigrant advocate groups/Obama Adminstration employees for their reactions to the gang of 8 immigration reform. He allocated a token 2 paragraphs to Republican Rep. Lamar Smith.
Matthew Cowan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If we were serious about the issue, then we would have to enforce all the laws all the time. Not only along the border but with rounding up and deporting those here regardless if they have family or children. Make it very difficult for them to find work by penalizing business harshly and deny them services of all sorts including education.
Then you would compare the statistics of capture at the border with those that are caught otherwise. Then you would know if the system works.
We need border security that works. We need immigration enforcement AND we need to reform the immigration system in meaningful way that protects american workers and provides the workforce that employer needs.
audrey fisher
There is perhaps another dimension to this debate: Consider drugs across the border: how often do law enforcement agents wait until after the drop to intercede and why? The answer is $$$$$. If these individuals were stopped when spotted they would never have completed their task. It is a number's game. The greater the number of individuals that can be detained IN the US - the more that these same individuals are financially rewarded.
The argument for Immigration Reform appears to hinge on a "secure border" or a vague definition of what is considered secure. Some in law enforcement groups who make money via confiscating drugs may be more than willing to "play the game and not deter folks from crossing the border, but wait, because of their own financial incentive. When that occurs, it sets up any real discussion to fail.
If for example, marijuana was legalized - it would cut down on deaths at the border, decrease the number of individuals crossing the border and stop warehousing people in the private prison industry.
Nothing happens in a vacuum. Trying to discuss immigration reform independent of all the actual problems will guarantee failure - which some here seem to be fine with, sigh.
raffaele cafagna
Obama has refused to enforce the immigration laws we have now. What makes you think he'll enforce new ones if they don't suit his purpose?
This is not a serious plan for comprehensive immigration reform; it is a comprehensive special-interest New Year's wish list,in which everyone gets something except the American people. Unfortunately,all Americans get is the bill,which they will have to pay with their jobs and their tax dollars."
Those who do not honor or observe the Law by definition are, LAWLESS people.
We now have a whole class of politicians, who, in the name of 'compassion' are promoting and endorsing LAWLESSNESS.
John McCain recently said, "We can't have 11 million people walking in the shadows in this country". I agree. But instead of rewarding LAWLESSNESS by allowing them a pathway to legal citizenship, lets encourage them go back to their OWN country, where, as legal citizens, they can "walk in the sunshine" with their heads held high. Then, if they wish to 'emigrate' to the United States, they can 'take their place in line', with all the other LAW ABIDING citizens, and go thru the LAWFUL immigration procedures to come to the United States.
HELLO - - - I AM A FLAMING LIBERAL MULTICULTURALIST - - - FROM YONDER HELL
I DEMAND... that you feed, clothe and house me
I DEMAND... well-fair and food stamps until the day I die
I DEMAND... free medical care and via Obama Care that YOU pay for such
I DEMAND... free street drugs and condoms plus needles
I DEMAND... to speak in Ebonics and accuse any in opposition as being racist
I DEMAND... that K-12 including college be taught only in Ebonics
I DEMAND... a cash allowance per month enabling me to buy a fancy automobile
I DEMAND... the 'right' to drive uninsured... with no 'airbag...' and the 'right' to not wear a seat-belt
I DEMAND... a free Harley Hog and the 'right' not to wear a helmet
ARE WE CLEAR ???
THE 'BLESSINGS' OF IMMIGRATION ... OH THEY BE SO MANY
Overcrowded Roads
Overcrowded Schools
Overcrowded Cities & Towns
Overcrowded Police Departments
Overcrowded Malls
Overcrowded Stores
Overcrowded DMVs
Overcrowded Doctor's Offices
Overcrowded Emergency Rooms
Overcrowded Pharmacies
Overcrowded Prisons
Overcrowded Guns Shows
Overcrowded Shooting Ranges
Overcrowded Gun Stores
Overcrowded Ghetto's
Overcrowded Public Housing
Overcrowded & Overrun Nation
Feeling a bit Pinched ???
Those who do not honor or observe the Law by definition are, LAWLESS people.
We now have a whole class of politicians, who, in the name of 'compassion' are promoting and endorsing LAWLESSNESS.
What about the disproportionate number of crimes committed by illegal aliens? The funds being spent, illegally, supporting illegal aliens...as in California's running joke of public entitlements that benefit more illegals than citizens?
No, much more work needs to be done and it needs to be done slowly and deliberately. We, the people, do NOT want this to be yet another "you have to pass it to read it" moment. We demand facts first, not the usual lies from the Republican and Democrat "leadership".
Many people who claim that they support amnesty (by any other name is still the same) don't stop to consider the massive drain on our already fragile natural resources, i.e. H2O, productive farm land, clean air, the total environment, the facilities such as schools, hospitals, etc. When those go into ruinous conditions we will be a totally third world country, and by the looks of things, that is already happening in many areas.
The problem we have is that our generous welfare, food stamps, "Dream Act" tuition rates, "motor voter" laws, and so on ad in finitum, are attracting unproductive people. Just a mere few generations ago immigrants who came here, the "...tired...poor," were brave, intelligent, resourceful people who fled tyranny and poverty for economic opportunity.
Obama has refused to enforce the immigration laws we have now. What makes you think he'll enforce new ones if they don't suit his purpose?
raffaele cafagna
Joakin Castro doesn`t know we have Laws ,Rules ,Regulations ; He doesn`t know that it is a crime going to another country without permission and if I go to Mexico just like Illegals do ,jumping the fence, I will be Arrested and Put in Jail; he does not understand * Illegal Aliens * and Illegal Aliens are Criminals because they broke the Law by Jumping the Fence and coming here without permission and to become a U.S.Citizen #1 you have to have an official Immigrant Visa that allows you to be here and have funds with you to sustain yourself and not to become a burden to the Government ; there is a waiting period of 5 years before you can apply for U.S.Citizenship and you have to appear in a Court District in front of a judge with complete knowledge of the English Language, that is Speak,Read , Write and Knowledge of the Constitution and Legislative,Executive, Judiciary System and you have to have 2 witnesses ( U.S Citizens ) that can speak on your behalf and after successfully completing the test you will take an oat and become a Naturalized U.S,Citizen and you can Vote. This is the Law of the Land. The Problem is that Rep. Castro from San Antonio doesn`t know the Law and he is an Elected Official ; what a Retard .
Mary Steele
The ones they don't catch are the problem along with the ones who overstayed their visa and are still allowed to stay, work 7 million non-Ag jobs and/or commit cirmes like murder, child molestion, rape, robbery, other assaults, and Identity theft to work.
It is impossible to properly background check 11-18 million illegals so they should be told to leave or face charges or additional charges, and be deported anyway!
Tell employers if they don't take proper steps now to start weeding out their illegal workers, they will have no excuse when they are caught! Those are the fastest ways to start opening 7 million non-Ag jobs and have an enforcement system that works. Send the message-You either come here legally or not at all!
Buzz Mills
U.S. BORDER PATROL TOTAL APPREHENSIONS
Data includes Deportable Aliens Only
Data Source: EID (Unofficial) as of 1/2/13
FY 2013TD
EPT 2,467
BBT 807
DRT 4,645
LRT 10,207
RGV 23,814
U.S. BORDER PATROL MARIJUANA (POUNDS) SEIZED
Data Source: EID (Unofficial) as of 1/2/13
FY 2013TD
EPT 13,667
BBT 10,291
DRT 9,912
LRT 72,189
RGV 204,561
U.S. BORDER PATROL COCAINE (POUNDS) SEIZED
Data Source: EID (Unofficial) as of 1/2/13
FY 2013TD
EPT 1.15
BBT 0.08
DRT 0.04
LRT 73.93
RGV 498.70
U.S. BORDER PATROL HEROIN (OUNCES) SEIZED
Data Source: EID (Unofficial) as of 1/2/13
FY 2013TD
EPT 37.82
BBT 65.92
DRT 124.19
LRT 81.53
RGV 1,071.70
U.S. BORDER PATROL METHAMPHETAMINE (POUNDS) SEIZED
Data Source: EID (Unofficial) as of 1/2/13
FY 2013TD
EPT 39.03
BBT 2.75
DRT 0.00
LRT 279.67
RGV 432.35