Bull malarkey up to the knees. Ask any CBP agent about the INCREASED numbers of border jumpers since Bush first mentioned his asinine amnesty plan. He's not only made CBP agents' jobs harder due to increased volume and stupid restrictions but more dangerous as they (illegals) are more agressive in their attempts.
They dropped 25% in FY 2001. They again dropped 25% in FY 2002 for a 50% decrease in 2 years. In FY 2003 the drop was only 3%.
In FY 2004 they jumped 26%.
Some blame the Presidents amnesty / guest worker proposal to this increase, but 2 of the years biggest increases came in November and December, prior to his first announcement of the guest worker program.
Those same folks point to a survey, taken by the border patrol, asking illegal aliens why they entered. The survey states an overwhelming majority said they came because Bush promised illgal aliens amnesty.
I've spoken to dozens of BP agents, and not one has seen or heard of this survey.
While there is no doubt in my mind, some entered specifically for this new amnesty/guest worker program, most came for the same reason they always come. Work.
The increase in apprehensions, IMO, is due to many factors, with the economy being number 1. As the economy is recovering and jobs are being created, more illegals are heading north. After 9/11, fear of being thought a terrorist was a major reason for the decrease in illegals crossing the borders. As that fear decreases over the years and the economy recovers, the numbers of crossers will inevitable increase.
If it were not for 9/11, I doubt there would have been any decreases during FY 2001 and FY 2002.