When Mexican immigrants think of the Border Patrol, they often think of agents in green uniform with a gun, handcuffs and a baton.
Intimidating figures.
Now the agency is taking a more humanitarian approach and is urging immigrants to dissuade others from crossing the border because it is more dangerous and difficult than before, Arizona Public Media Media reports.
Agents recently met with about 200 Mexican citizens at the Mexican consulate in Phoenix, wearing a coat and tie and speaking in Spanish.
“Normally, we would probably be wearing rough duty green pants, rough duty long-sleeve shirt and then of course the full gun belt with the gun and cuffs and collapsible baton,” Agent George TreviĆo said at the meeting.