news

For Border Patrol agents, the problem doesn’t only lie with the hundreds of thousands of Central Americans crossing into the U.S. illegally, but with the gaps that are being left alone because of the influx. This is serving as a deterrent from the more dangerous criminals, and that’s how the cartels want it.

“Just the month of May here, just in Texas alone, Border Patrol detained about 48,000 individuals just for Texas,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. A staggering number, according to Henry Cuellar is coming straight from the Department of Homeland Security.

If the surge began in October, like Customs and Border Protection have told us then we calculate that around 336,000 have crossed over illegally in just our state, straining resources on the border. Shawn Moran is the vice president for the National Border Patrol Union.

He said although the cartels aren’t necessarily responsible for starting the influx, they are using it to their favor. This problem, Moran said, gives these organized criminal groups the perfect opportunity to strike. He speculates the distraction of mass surrenders isn’t helping bust the truly dangerous criminals.

Action 4 News checked on it. We requested the number cash, weapons and drug seizures from Border Patrol. Both marijuana and cocaine seizures are down, compared to their last fiscal year. In 2013, close to 600,000 pounds of marijuana were confiscated. This year, that number went down 20 percent. The same occurred for cocaine busts that declined about 10 percent.

Now, we cannot confirm whether cartels are profiting from this, but they sure are banking on human smuggling. A colossal business these criminals obviously want to protect.

Leaving agents wondering how far they are willing to go to ensure the delivery of their product. A recent directive from Washington could make it harder for agents to guard themselves.

In late May, a critical report was released that limits their use of force after some questionable shootings where illegal immigrants were hurt.

The new guidelines stress agents should avoid standing in front of vehicles and that they may be able to shield themselves from rock throwers by seeking cover.

“If the life of an agent is going to be put at risk, then of course the agent has to do whatever he or she needs to do to defend themselves and I will support the agents right to defend themselves."

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1063752#.U7HCz_ldVyI