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HIDE-AND-SEEK AT THE BORDER - US (UNITED STATES) AGENTS ARE LOSING

NCJ Number
59671
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 6-10,13-17
Author(s)
R WILSON; B CORY
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INTO THE UNITED STATES, PARTICULARLY BY MEXICANS, ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE FOCUSES ON THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY AGENTS OF THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE BORDER PATROL, WHO FEEL THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO STOP MEXICANS FROM ILLEGALLY CROSSING THE BORDER INTO CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO. THE LACK OF NATIONAL POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THE CONSEQUENT LACK OF SUPPORT FOR PATROL AGENTS IN THE FIELD ARE NOTED, AS IS THE FUTILITY OF TRYING TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS WHILE MANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOMED BY U.S. EMPLOYERS AS A SOURCE OF INEXPENSIVE LABOR. THE METHODS AND EXPERIENCES OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS ARE DESCRIBED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE DANGERS POSED BY THE RELATIVELY FEW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO FIGHT BACK WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT. IT IS NOTED THAT, ONCE IN THE UNITED STATES, ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN CRIME AS VICTIMS THAN AS PERPETRATORS. PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY MEXICAN ROBBERS WHO PREY ON ILLEGAL ALIENS AS THEY ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE BORDER ARE POINTED OUT, AS IS THE LIMITED COOPERATION BETWEEN MEXICAN AND AMERICAN POLICE IN DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. SIDEBARS TO THE ARTICLE DISCUSS LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS DIRECTED AGAINST SMUGGLERS ENGAGED PROFESSIONALLY IN MOVING ILLEGAL ALIENS ACROSS THE BORDER, AND WAYS IN WHICH THE RIGHTS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE IGNORED AS THEY ARE CAPTURED, QUICKLY PROCESSED, AND RETURNED TO THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY. (LKM)

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