Controlling the border

Posted: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:58 PM by Victor Limjoco

By Mara Schiavocampo, NBC Nightly News digital correspondent

In the last few years border control has become a big issue, though recently it's been pushed off the radar by the three E's: Economy, Election, Engagement in Iraq (ok, so maybe the last 'E' is a creative stretch).

How big is the decline? Border arrests are down 17% so far this year. They were down 20% in 2007. When fewer people are arrested we can assume fewer people are attempting to cross.

Why? First, U.S. Border Patrol is beefing up its force.

By the end of the year there will be an estimated 18,000 agents (double the size of the force in 2001), making Border Patrol the largest armed law enforcement agency in the nation.

Second, potential migrants are discouraged from crossing because the ailing U.S. economy means jobs are scarce. Also, deportations are up almost 60% since 2005. Some potential migrants are adding all of this together and deciding it's just not worth the trip.

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Comments

Please note, I live in Southern Arizona. Half the time we call the border patrol, they do not respond. the only reason the numbers may be down is that they do not bother to arrest thousands of illegals a day. They don't want their numbers to look bad. The number of crossers is NOT down, just come visit our ranch someday.

Concerned, AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:03 PM)

Brian,

I'm glad you all are settling back into the "new normal". I appreciate, as do many of your other viewers, having the opportunity to share in your wonderful memories of Tim. I am also glad that Tom Brokaw will sit in for Tim at Meet the Press, he's such a welcomed part of your NBC political team. I never get to see the news when it orginally comes on, but I make sure it is the last thing I watch (via DVR) before I go to bed! You and all of the staff members of NBC news are continually in my prayers and thoughts, keep up the great work. Now on to November!

Averil, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:47 PM)

Mara, wouldn't it be lovely if all people all over the world could be satisfied with their lives and keep it parked in one place? I'm sure the native peoples in what is now called America felt this way when their land was taken, and the genocide which was conducted by peoples now called Americans. My point here is that the earth belongs to no one and everyone. Those who want a better life have the basic human right to roam this planet to find their paradise for that short stretch of time called life.

Derek H. Muyskens Newhall, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:09 AM)

I love some of the comments i read by the obviously uninformed. Such is the case of people who still believe that border invasion will be stopped by border patrols etc. It's no suprise to me that border crossings are down because so is the American economy (especially construction trades) where the majority of imigrants desire employment. When housing returns so will the illegals,mark it down.In conclusion it's all about supply and demand people.Another question is can it be stopped?, sure but that's a whole differant story.Hint go after employers!

Frank Shortt, Lebanon,Ohio (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 8:37 PM)

Shouldn't that tell us American something about the economy when the illegals would rather stay in Mexico than take a chance for a "better" life by crossing the border. .

Angie Houseburg Galion Ohio (Sent Wednesday, June 25, 2008 9:10 PM)

I recently visited a company in SLC which employs a large number of hispanics. This company is critically viligent in hiring only legal US persons and in talking with some of the hispanics there, they are outraged at the number of illegals getting into this country and thus into their neighborhoods. In their opinion, the vast majority of illegals are criminals the workers feel robbed by the fact the illegals are able to receive any public monies. The workers will not talk about any of this for fear for their lives and the lives of their children.

Reginald Cessna, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:15 PM)

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