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The Border Patrol management doesn't like talking about "got-aways". They claim they're catching at least half. The agents say otherwise: the most optimistic say one in three; the most pessimistic say one in ten. Most say one in five.

Part of the problem is that the prescribed procedures are inefficient and seem designed to tie the agents up with processing instead of apprehensions.

Let's say a team from Naco catches a dozen or so in my neighborhood. They do first line processing on the spot, triage for health problems, and then transport them to the station 30+ miles away. Then they do the real processing -- time consuming. Finally, they saddle them up again and drive them a few more miles to the Port of Entry and send them back into Mexico. Literally hours off patrol.

And what happens during those hours? I nearly found out the hard and unpleasant way.

A couple of months back, American Border Patrol put out a max effort on the San Pedro River. We camped out on an adjacent ranch and were using every technological trick we had at the time. (This was before the UAVs and ground sensors.) We turned in 96 to the Border Patrol in a six hour period. One of the local ranchers got another 85 all by himself in the same area. He was on horseback and herding them like cattle.

About the time we thought the area was cleaned out, I decided to film the trash they had left behind and damn near stepped on half a dozen holdouts hidden in the brush. They were not happy to see me at all, but did notice the holster on my thigh and stayed calm.

Just as fast as the Border Patrol left with a load, another group would come traipsing up the river bed. It was unreal. That night was even crazier. We watched as one vehicle after another dumped people off on the south side of the border -- it was like watching taxis at an airport and it went on for hours.

We were using infrared spotlights and night vision scopes and people were still making it past us and past the Border Patrol -- and the Border Patrol had a nicely equipped helicopter overhead helping out. All we could do was call in sightings and hope a BP team could get there.

I agree with the agents. We got maybe one in five that night.

I would be so frustrated I'd leave and never look back. I'm pissed as hell about it from here. If I had to watch it happening every night I couldn't take it. You talk about getting one in five, but that's just where you can see them.

One of you mentioned how many the INS catches per year. Do you remember that number? It would be helpful to contrast with the one in five or ten figure.

"The Border Patrol management doesn't like talking about "Got-aways".

I really don't blame the BP management for not wanting to talk about it. I think they have done as well as they can with the resources they have.

I really admire you and your group for the assistance you have given the BP in apprehending these illegals. Your discription of these events just amazes me. You all caught 200 in a 6 hour period. Hopefully, with the use of the UAVs and sensors, you job will be safer.

I appreciate and agree with everything you do except for one thing. Jackelope, I am going to repeat this to you. Don't pick up their trash!!!

Just as fast as the Border Patrol left with a load, another group would come traipsing up the river bed. It was unreal. That night was even crazier. We watched as one vehicle after another dumped people off on the south side of the border -- it was like watching taxis at an airport and it went on for hours.

Folks, they are all headed to a neighborhood near YOU. They've came to my neighborhood and destroyed what was once a great place to live. It looks more and more like a Mexican slum town by the day.