Border Crossings Down With Economy

So, apparently as the U.S. economy continues its downward spiral, so do the number of illegal immigrants crossing our borders trying to get to the land of prosperity.

It could be a combination of nasty economic conditions and illegal immigrant crackdowns that caused the number of border apprehensions to drop 17 percent to 347,372 from Oct. 1, 2007 to and March 31, 2008, the Wall Street Journal reports today. The U.S. Border Patrol today told Political Machine the number of apprehensions to date since Oct. 1, 2007 is 357,466, nationwide. The Journal reported that the drop was particularly significant in the Yuma, Ariz., sector, with apprehensions plunging 76 percent during that period, as well as in Tucson. That could also be because a new Arizona law that went into effect Jan. 1 cracks down on employers hiring illegal (I mean, er, undocumented) workers. Compare the national apprehension numbers to date to that of 602,392. That's the number of apprehensions for that same period in 2006.

The Border Patrol says tougher laws and infrastructure (including border fencing and vehicle barriers) have helped stem the tide of migrants crossing the border. "We have more manpower, we have new infrastructure, we have new technology. A combination of the three is what is working," Ramon Rivera, an assistant chief with the U.S. Border Patrol, told me today.

The Border Patrol had only 9,000 agents along all the U.S. borders a few years ago; they now have 15,800. Various border sectors also are rolling out initiatives like "Operation No Pass," "Operation Lockdown" and "Operation Lifeguard," the latter of which focuses on smugglers leading illegal immigrants across irrigation canals and ports of entry.

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PD toolbar!But the Journal reports that some economists say the financial situation of the U.S. and the ailing housing market are also contributing to the trend. Meaning, in part, as the demand for new houses decreases, so does the demand for illegal (cheaper) workers that construction companies often hire to build them. The Border Patrol, however, points out that farms are actually among the largest employers of migrant workers, and that the number of apprehensions was decreasing before the economy started tanking.

The San Diego Union-Tribune recently reported on how decreases in crossings along the San Diego-Tijuana border, whether they be casual shoppers or workers, is causing some area businesses to feel the pinch.

Speaking of the border fence, the New York Times published an article yesterday about how Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is using unprecedented powers - approved by Congress - to get the border fence built. Last week, Chertoff issued waivers suspending more than 30 laws he said could interfere with the "expeditious construction of barriers" in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Those laws protect things like the environment, endangered species, farms, and Native American graves, the Times says. The paper cites a 2005 Congressional Research Service report on the delegation of such power.

"Criminal activity at the border does not stop for endless debate or protracted litigation," Chertoff said in a statement last week. "Congress and the American public have been adamant that they want and expect border security. We're serious about delivering it, and these waivers will enable important security projects to keep moving forward. At the same time, we value the need for public input on any potential impact of our border infrastructure plans on the environment – and we will continue to solicit it."

HSToday reports that 14 Democratic members of Congress, including House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), declared their intent this week to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case against the use of waiver authority by Chertoff to build the fence. The lawmakers will file an amicus brief by April 17 on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, which have petitioned the high court to declare Chertoff's authority unconstitutional.

"This blanket waiver of laws like the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act is a clear and disturbing abuse of the Secretary's discretion," Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) said in the statement. "Congress' efforts to seek justification for this waiver from DHS have been stonewalled, which leads me to believe none exists."


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