Border crackdown working, numbers show

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

TECATE, Mexico - Mexican shelters, usually the last stop for northbound migrants, are filling with southbound deportees. Fewer migrants are crossing in the wind-swept deserts along an increasingly fortified border. Far to the north, fields are empty at harvest time as workplace raids become more common.

Mexicans are increasingly giving up on the American dream and staying home, and the federal crackdown on undocumented workers announced Friday should discourage even potential migrants from taking the risks as the United States purges itself of its illegal population.

U.S. border agents detained 55,545 illegal migrants jumping over border walls, walking through the desert and swimming across the Rio Grande River between October and June. That's down 38 percent for the entire border compared to the same period a year before.

U.S. and Mexican officials say increased border security, including 6,000 National Guard troops, remote surveillance technology and drone planes, have thwarted smugglers who had succeeded for years at beating the system.

Migrants also say they feel Americans are increasingly hostile toward immigrants.

"It's the discrimination," said 28-year-old George Guevara, who was deported to Tijuana last month after living in the U.S. for 18 years. "It's making people step back. It's just too much of a risk. It's better to be out here."

Guevara, who speaks perfect English and has only distant memories of Mexico, was living at a Tijuana migrant shelter filled with deportees, many of whom are Mexican-born but find themselves in a country that is foreign to them.

"I barely remember living here," Guevara said. "But I see this as an opportunity. I'm going to go back to Guadalajara to see my family and forget what happened."

While some migrants try to set up new lives, others are caught between two worlds. Salvador Perez still has a pregnant wife and three small children in Bakersfield, Calif., where he worked on a pistachio ranch before he was deported. He's tried to cross the rocky, snake-infested mountains near Tecate three times this summer to get back to them, but failed each time.

"I want to try again, but I'm scared something will happen," Perez said.

The biggest drop in Border Patrol detentions — a 68 percent decrease — was in the remote, heat-seared desert surrounding Yuma, Ariz., once popular with smugglers. Border Patrol spokesman Jeremy Chappell credits the additional troops and tougher security.

"Where an alien before was able to sneak across, now he has the National Guard watching him," Chappell said.

The only area that has seen an increase — 1.5 percent — is the San Diego sector, which runs along the California border and includes the harsh, roadless desert surrounding Tecate. The Border Patrol has responded with helicopters and increased intelligence from detained migrants.

Crossing there requires hiking up to six miles, scrambling over or under the border fence, then walking some more, usually in the dead of night. The region is difficult to patrol, making it one of the few places migrants believe they can still get through.

That's why 22-year-old Romeo, a Salvadoran who refused to give his last name for fear of reprisals, was in Tecate's town square after failing twice to sneak into El Paso, Texas, once in a car and once on foot. He was flown back to El Salvador each time.

"They tell me this is the best place to cross, but it isn't easy anywhere," Romeo said.

Deportations also are up for illegal immigrants who have lived in the States for years. Some are caught for minor infractions like a burned-out headlight. Others are rounded up in workplace raids that the Bush administration has vowed to intensify.

The new measures announced Friday will force employers to fire anyone who cannot prove their Social Security numbers are legitimate.

U.S. employers are already complaining, especially those in agriculture, where most workers are believed to be working with false documents. On a recent visit to Mexico, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said some crops are already rotting in the fields for lack of workers.

Many employers join President Bush in blaming Congress for stalling an accord that would allow more people to work legally.

"Pretty shortly people are going to be knocking on people's doors saying `Man we're running out of workers,'" Bush said.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon also lashed out Thursday. "The U.S. Congress, which today turns its back on reality, knows full well that the American economy could not move forward without the labor of Mexicans," he said.

Fewer Mexicans are sending home cash remittances — Mexico's biggest source of foreign income after oil — leaving many Mexican relatives with no other resources, the Inter-American Development Bank reported Wednesday.

Despite all this, some migrants are still trying to beat the odds.

Isaac Mendiola, 41, mapped out how he would cross near Tecate.

"We start walking about 7 p.m., hit the Golden Casino on Highway 8 by 4 a.m.," Mendiola explained. "Then we call this Indian guy from the reservation, and pay him $200 to take us to Oceanside, Calif. An American lady gets us past the checkpoint for another $200. Then we take public buses to Disneyland, and we are in L.A."

Still, even Mendiola wants to work in construction for only two more years, then return to Mexico to run a convenience store his family has opened with the money earned up north.

"Crossing is getting a lot harder now," he said. "You gotta stop sometime. This year and next, and boom, I'm done."

link

Edited August 12, 2007 by charlesandnessa

[GaryC 7]

:dance: :dance: :dance:

Now were talking!! Keep it up!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

[JoeMama 0]

Dumb f-ucks! They should have never taken to our US streets and made their demands upon US society. They spoke out. And now, with a resounding American voice, they're finding more and more they are not welcomed here! Stay at YOUR home bastardos! You ain't wanted here!

Edited August 12, 2007 by JoeMama

[Scott & Lai 12]

Migrants also say they feel Americans are increasingly hostile toward immigrants.

"It's the discrimination," said 28-year-old George Guevara, who was deported to Tijuana last month after living in the U.S. for 18 years. "It's making people step back. It's just too much of a risk. It's better to be out here."

No, Americans are increasingly hostile towards illegal immigrants.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon also lashed out Thursday. "The U.S. Congress, which today turns its back on reality, knows full well that the American economy could not move forward without the labor of Mexicans," he said.

link

What colossal arrogance and hypocracy How about: "The Mexican government, which today turns its back on reality, knows full well that the Mexican economy could not move forward without the labor of Guatemalans." What would Calderon say to that??

Edited August 12, 2007 by Scott & Lai

[smoke20 0]

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Migrants also say they feel Americans are increasingly hostile toward immigrants.

"It's the discrimination," said 28-year-old George Guevara, who was deported to Tijuana last month after living in the U.S. for 18 years. "It's making people step back. It's just too much of a risk. It's better to be out here."

No, Americans are increasingly hostile towards illegal immigrants.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon also lashed out Thursday. "The U.S. Congress, which today turns its back on reality, knows full well that the American economy could not move forward without the labor of Mexicans," he said.

link

What colossal arrogance and hypocracy How about: "The Mexican government, which today turns its back on reality, knows full well that the Mexican economy could not move forward without the labor of Guatemalans." What would Calderon say to that??

interesting is the one in the first quoted part came here at 10 years old

[Heracles 417]

Finally there is progress at the border. As well as progress with punishing anyone who employs them.

I am impressed that this issue has bipartisan support.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

wicked!!! what say the enablers now?

[Sheriff Uling 3]

:dance: :dance: :dance:

Now were talking!! Keep it up!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

Slow your row... We still need to do something about the ones that are already here...

[peejay 327]

I find it odd that just as the Grand Enabler Bush is announcing stepped up workplace enforcement there are plans underway to pull National Guard troops from the border. Anybody that believes GWB has seen the light and now is going to really enforce the law will be fooled again. I'm highly skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

wicked!!! what say the enablers now?

They're working on linking the recent turbulence on Wall Street to the stepped up enforcements. Remember, if we don't give amnesty and if we don't let anyone who wants to come in do so, our economy must come crumbling down.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I find it odd that just as the Grand Enabler Bush is announcing stepped up workplace enforcement there are plans underway to pull National Guard troops from the border. Anybody that believes GWB has seen the light and now is going to really enforce the law will be fooled again. I'm highly skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

Good point. This could just be the show being put on to show that we've got the border under control now and that we're tough on employers of illegals. Maybe this is nothing but the paving of the road for the next amnesty bill to roll on.

[peejay 327]

I find it odd that just as the Grand Enabler Bush is announcing stepped up workplace enforcement there are plans underway to pull National Guard troops from the border. Anybody that believes GWB has seen the light and now is going to really enforce the law will be fooled again. I'm highly skeptical. I'll believe it when I see it.

Good point. This could just be the show being put on to show that we've got the border under control now and that we're tough on employers of illegals. Maybe this is nothing but the paving of the road for the next amnesty billto roll on.

It's not a question of "if", but "when" amnesty will be revived. Probably after the 2008 elections when the politicians can vote it in and feel safe from angry voters.

It will either be "strike three, you're out" or "the third time is a charm". It's up to the American people whether they allow the politicians to sell them out yet again.

La Raza stated that it was a "wave of hate" that defeated the last amnesty. I agree, but not by the reasoning of La Raza. It wasn't hatred of the illegals...it was hatred of the self serving political and corporate elites that have brought this on our country.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Migrants also say they feel Americans are increasingly hostile toward immigrants.

"It's the discrimination," said 28-year-old George Guevara, who was deported to Tijuana last month after living in the U.S. for 18 years. "It's making people step back. It's just too much of a risk. It's better to be out here."

No, Americans are increasingly hostile towards illegal immigrants.

YES!!!! ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!! The enablers want to blur the line between legal and illegal to help fuel their racist agenda.

[mawilson 2,133]

wicked!!! what say the enablers now?

They're working on linking the recent turbulence on Wall Street to the stepped up enforcements. Remember, if we don't give amnesty and if we don't let anyone who wants to come in do so, our economy must come crumbling down.

Oh no...... the ICE have ruined my 401(k)!