Feds Say Arrests of Illegal Immigrants Are Down, But Problems Still Remain

Fox News ^ | 06/30/2010 | Joshua Rhett Miller

[iowamark]

OGALES, Ariz. -- This much is certain: The number of illegal immigrants apprehended along America's southern border plummeted by 54 percent between 2005 and 2009. But, like everything else surrounding the fractious immigration debate in this part of the country, there is little agreement on exactly why...

But the president of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents more than 17,000 Border Patrol agents, says the decline is actually a blip on the radar screen, due less to greater enforcement than to the nation’s faltering economy...

From 2005 to 2009, apprehensions along the 1,933-mile border that runs from Texas to California fell from 1,171,396 to 540,865, a decline of 54 percent. During that same period, staffing at the region's nine border sectors climbed from 9,891 to 17,408, with the largest number of agents – 3,318 – stationed at Arizona’s Tucson sector, which Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said last week would be the “focus” of border enforcement efforts moving forward....

But those apprehension figures can be deceiving, according to Bonner, who says that at least two individuals succeed in making it into the U.S. for every person caught along the border.

“We’re about 33 percent effective,” he said. “It’s like shoveling sand against the tide.”

Bonner noted that the sharp increase in drug seizures has coincided with a steady decline in apprehensions, indicating to him that the agency cannot handle both problems at once.

“When the economy recovers, we’re going to see an increase in attempts to get into the country, and at about the same success ratio,” he said. “Are we anywhere close to border security? No, we’re not. True border security means that no thing and no person crosses that border without our permission.”

[iowamark]

From 2005 to 2009, apprehensions along the 1,933-mile border that runs from Texas to California fell from 1,171,396 to 540,865, a decline of 54 percent.

[chicagolady]

Yes and they lie about other things too!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

Anyone who believes this government about anything is a fool.

[gunsequalfreedom]

Feds Say Arrests of Illegal Immigrants Are Down, But Problems Still Remain.

They used to catch 50,000 a day now they are only catching 49,000 a day.

[Arkansas Tider]

There all here, going into Walmart in my hometown of Decatur AL, brings back memories of when I was stationed in Central America.

[OCC]

Maybe it’s because all those that have the means and the will to cross the border illegally are already here? The cross border flood was bound to subside at some point. Now how to we get them to flood back the other way?

[iowamark]

I believe that arrests are down, but that does not mean that the flow of illegals is down.

[cranked]

Of course arrests of illegals are/is down ...the Feds are not enforcing....as per the orders of idiots Napolitano and Jack Squat POTUS. =.=

[Iron Munro]

Feds Say Arrests of Illegal Immigrants Are Down, But Problems Still Remain

Maybe if they arrest MORE of them the magnitude of the problem will go DOWN instead of remaining the same!!!

If they can't find any to arrest they should visit any large vegetable or fruit grower when the crops are in.

Or check out the crowds malingering around the contractor exit at any Home Depot.
.

[org.whodat]

True, more time driving the roads a 100 miles away from the Border, and the catch and release programs goes on.

[thecodont]

Feds Say Arrests of Illegal Immigrants Are Down, But Problems Still Remain

Maybe if they arrest MORE of them the magnitude of the problem will go DOWN instead of remaining the same!!!

If they can't find any to arrest they should visit any large vegetable or fruit grower when the crops are in.

Or check out the crowds malingering around the contractor exit at any Home Depot. .

Or ride the 1 or 1R bus lines in Oakland/Berkeley. I see at least five illegals on each bus.

[calex59]

I would say they are lying. Just what would make the number of illegals coming over drop? They didn’t, maybe they aren’t arresting as many but that doesn’t mean the number coming here decreased, it just means the feds aren’t doing their job.

[HiJinx]

Ping!

[Tammy8]

I do think the numbers of crossers is down from past years, but I am only speaking for my area. The issue I see now is many of the crossers we do have are more dangerous- hard core cartel members that are determined to get their goods- be they people or drugs or both across at any cost. Ruthless and very scary. Just using numbers doesn’t give anyone the real picture. I know I have more fear now than I have ever had in the last 40 or so years I have lived on the border.