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Border Patrol agents concerned over reduction in resources

LAREDO, TEXAS (KGNS) - Changes coming to the U.S./Mexico border has agents who work to secure it concerned.

The Department of Homeland Security is proposing a reduction in aerial monitoring for an operation known as 'phalanx.'

Local agents are concerned about losing resources in the air, but they are also concerned about resources on the ground.

Operation Phalanx began back in 2010.

It's a Department of Defense program dependent on the National Guard.
It has roots in the Bush administration.

The amount of support offered to south Texas has decreased since then, but this year, aerial support could decrease by about 50-percent from last year as per the request from DHS secretary Jeh Johnson.

110,000 square miles. That's how much the Laredo Sector Border Patrol covers.

Their mission is to prevent and detect illegal activity.

Operation phalanx was created to provide support; one way was over the air.

Local union secretary Sergio Moreno says agents depend on this help that could soon diminish.

"They've been used and trained to call them. Now, to know that they may not be there to answer an agents call, it's not a good feeling", said Moreno.

The Department of Homeland Security is only requesting half of the hours for phalanx as opposed to those last year.

Texas governor Greg Abbott and Congressman Cuellar question the reason behind it and so do agents in precarious situations.

"Is knowing that he or she is now out there by him or herself, when the nearest partner could be miles away and aerial support may or may not be available now, it puts doubt. 'why? Am I not that important for the agency that I work for?'" said Moreno.

The spokesman for the DHS sent a statement.

They explain that the changes come as the department adds a new campaign called the 'southern border and approaches campaign plan.'
It would include three new DHS joint task forces that work together on various department operations.

Here in Laredo, agents face another concern on the ground.

A new pilot program is set to start and it could move canine and their handlers away their areas of responsibility.

"Like aerial support, the canine team is also a great asset. If it gets reassigned to other than border patrol duties along the riverbanks, local urban areas, it's going to hamper the job duties that are local agents are out there to do", said Moreno.

For now, the union hopes these two measures are reconsidered amid growing concerns of migrant surges from Cuba and Central America.

The union is discussing the centralized canine pilot program with the local sector manager and Congressman Cuellar.

They hope they can reach a resolution before the pilot becomes permanent.

To see the letter sent to the DHS secretary and the response from his office, you can click the link below.

Resources that have assisted Border Patrol agents since 2010 will be reduced this year.

Aerial monitoring and other support offered by the National Guard through an operation known as 'phalanx' is set to be scaled down.

A reduction in resources doesn't come as good news to the union that represents local Border Patrol agents.

The Department of Homeland Security is requesting 3,850 hours for Operation Phalanx.

According to a letter authored by Texas governor Greg Abbott and Congressman Henry Cuellar, that's almost 50-percent less than last year.

Phalanx has been in existence since July of 2010.

The local union secretary for Border Patrol agents in Laredo says agents have come to depend on the help of the National Guard through this operation that goes as far back as the Bush administration.

"But I can tell you this, the agents on the ground, if they need support from an aerial unit, they can call them. They've been used and trained to call them. Now, to know that they may not be there to answer an agents call, it's not a good feeling", said Sergio Moreno.

The governor and congressman sent a letter to the secretary of Homeland Security.

In it they question the reason for the reduction and which areas will be affected in the state.

KGNS also sent a request for a response to this letter from Homeland Security.

The spokesman for DHS replied stating how new approaches to border security, including the southern border and approaches campaign plan, are now providing supplemental help to the border.

We'll have more on this statement tonight.

The local union is also concerned about losing resources on the ground.

Tonight, we'll hear how a new program may affect access agents have to canine agents in Laredo.

Resources to help with aerial surveillance along the border will be reduced significantly, and this has Border Patrol agents concerned.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced they plan to request 3,850 hours of aerial detection, situational awareness and to monitor capability support.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Congressman Henry Cuellar sent a letter to the DHS stating the hours requested for this year are about 50 percent less than last year.

Border Patrol agents receive aerial support through this operation known as 'Phalanx.'

The local union for Border Patrol agents has grown concerned about how the reduction in this resource could affect their performance.