Are there ANY editors who actually review the reports by their journalists? This reads like LA airport is actually on the border of America and Mexico.
Is is the border. If you come in on an international flight, you are still in International-land until you pass through border patrol at Tom Bradley International Terminal (I go through it 6-7 times a year).
You are not legally in the US until you’re on the other side of the CBP officers lining the entrance hall. Yes, the International territory you are in is contained within the US, but it is not US territory.
That’s pretty much true at all International ports worldwide, no matter how far “inland” they may be. If you haven’t passed through border control, you’re still in International territory.
And there are a few places (like Toronto in Canada) where you actually go through US border control at the airport. Yes, you’re at the Toronto Airport, you’re surrounded by Canada - but you just passed through US border control and thus are now in US territory.
It's a common legal fiction. Pearson airport in Canada has what is effecively (for search purposes) a US border inside an airport that is miles from a geographical border. Once through that, you will not encounter immigration or customs after exiting the plane in the US.