Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Add environmentalists to the groups of people opposing the growth of the Border Patrol. The inundation of 20,000 agents could irrevocably damage the Southern Arizona’s deserts and wildlife, according to the Siera Club Borderlands, which has a Tucson office. Border Patrol is not subject to environmental laws along the international border, creating…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The union representing Border Patrol agents expressed “serious concerns” about the new Senate bill because of its handling of security along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Washington Times reports. The National Border Patrol Council is most concerned with the inundation of 20,000 additional agents to protect the border – a major component of…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Two former Border Patrol agents were sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for operating a massive human smuggling ring, the Associated Press reports. Federal District Judge John A. Houston sentenced Raul Villarreal, the ring leader, to 35 years in prison Friday; his brother Fidel Villarreal was sentenced to 30 years…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Customs and Border workers won’t be forced to take furloughs this year as originally feared, Government Executive reports. CBP employees, who initially faced 14 furlough days in fiscal 2013, dodged the forced days off through appropriations approved by Congress. It was good news for the more than 20,000 CBP workers who feared…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Authorities are not sure how six U.S. border agents became ill after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York, The Associated Press reports. The officer became ill Saturday morning while examining a 2002 BMW at the Champlain crossing. The officers, who were decontaminated on site, have been released from…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A federal group is selling collector’s coins of Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry, who was killed in a shootout while on duty, to raise money for a foundation created to honor Terry. Called the “Challenge Coin,” the Border Narcotics Intelligence is selling the coins online for $15. Terry’s death grabbed national…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A quick-acting Border Patrol agent saved a drowning child who fell into a neighbor’s swimming pool over the weekend in McAllen, Tex., The Monitor reports. Agent Carlos Cojelo was at his house when he heard commotion from a neighbor’s house. When he arrived, he saw a mother clutching her 3-year-old child, who…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Border Patrol apprehensions have increased 13% in the first six months of the fiscal year, the USA Today reports. The increase over last year, however, doesn’t mean the border is incredibly busy. In fact, the number of apprehensions – 189,172 – is still near historic lows. Does this mean the U.S. is on…
