Small Town News

USBP arrests up compared to illegal entries in the area

---

While illegal entries in the area of responsibility of the US Border Patrol's Ajo Station have increased about 5%, arrests have jumped more than 30%, according to Devin Reno, agent and community relations officer assigned to the Ajo Station. Reno gave an update on USBP activities at the recent meeting of the Western Pima County Community Council.

The surge in arrests compared to entries indicates an increase in efficiency for local agents, noted Reno. He said there are a number of detailers, or temporarily assigned agents, in town who are making a difference with the arrest numbers.

Agents have also been involved in numerous desert rescues over the harsh summer months. Along with that, the number of body recoveries has been on the rise, according to Reno.

The installation of Secure Border Initiative surveillance towers is on track and the system should be coming on line soon. Reno said the new technology is testing remarkably well and it should make a "very big difference" with area apprehensions.

Ground was broken on the replacement USBP station in Why on August 19. The facility is expected to be operational by' December 2012.

When asked about the policy of catch & release, Reno explained it as a policy where aliens who are found to have no serious criminal or immigration history have the option to be returned to their country of origin, in what is called a voluntary return, on the condition they admit being illegally present in the US. Those who meet prosecution guidelines, on the other hand, are prosecuted vigorously through cooperation with the US Attorney's Office, according to Reno.

In response to a question about National Guard troops coming to the border, he said it is unknown at this time if any will make it to the Ajo Station area. He said in other areas they are working as intelligence gatherers and observers, and some are deployed to assist Immigration & Customs Enforcement units.

Regarding how many additional agents may be coming to the Ajo Station, Reno said the manpower reports from Tucson Sector seem to change daily and therefore he could not guess.

Reno introduced fellow agent and community relations officer Manny Gorritz to the audience at the WPCCC meeting. Gorritz came from the Nogales Station and has nearly six years experience with USBP. He and Reno will share community relations duties.

In an email message after the meeting, Reno reported that the driver of the USBP vehicle that was involved in a rollover accident September 2 was uninjured. He said the incident is still under investigation.



Copyright 2010 Ajo Copper News, Ajo, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Ajo Copper News Ajo, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Ajo Copper News