El Paso Times
Times staff report

EL PASO - Apprehensions of undocumented immigrants in 2008 decreased by about 67 percent along the New Mexico border, thanks in large part to fencing construction and the acquisition of other resources in southern Luna County, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

Aside from the dramatic decrease in apprehensions in fiscal year 2008, the completion of the fence in Santa Teresa has also allowed for the re-deployment of some agents to other required locations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

Similarly, when 6.07 miles of pedestrian fencing was completed near the Columbus, NM Port of Entry, apprehensions in that corridor also dropped more than 60 percent from 2007 to 2008. Narcotics dropped by 100 percent over the same time period, according to recent data.

"It is clear that the implementation of infrastructure in targeted areas of New Mexico has had a tremendous impact on reducing the volume of apprehensions in those areas," El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Victor M. Manjarrez, Jr. said in the news release.

The Department of Homeland Security is continuing with its commitment to build a total of 370 miles of fencing along the southern border by the end of Calendar year 2008. While fencing alone is not considered to achieve effective control of our nation's borders, they have proven to be both efficient and cost effective, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

The El Paso Sector of the US Border Patrol is currently in the process of constructing 80 miles of vehicle fencing in New Mexico; and approximately 56 miles of pedestrian fencing in New Mexico and Texas. The anticipated completion of these projects is Dec. 31, 2008. The Border Patrol National Strategy calls for the proper mix of personnel, technology and infrastructure in order to gain effective control of our nation's borders.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Copyright 2008 El Paso Times, a MediaNews Group Newspaper