Border Patrol Document Outlines Drastic Cuts
Posted: Jun 13, 2013 6:18 PM
Updated: Jun 14, 2013 1:08 AM
McALLEN - Border Patrol agents assigned to the region are being told to scale back their operations, according to a document obtained by CHANNEL 5 NEWS.
The agency admits they will have security gaps that may lead to an increase in illegal activity throughout the region.
The document, an e-mail from the agency, lays out specific plans to cut patrols along the border. They agency acknowledges in the e-mail that agents' lives and residents' safety could be at risk.
The document states there are some areas agents must patrol constantly, but other areas will get less attention.
The reductions would impact all patrols, including marine, horseback and all-terrain vehicles.
"We are in a fuel crisis, and need to do everything to conserve fuel," the document states.
More agents will be on foot. Others are being transported by van and dropped off at their designated patrol areas.
Agents also are instructed to shut off vehicle engines to conserve fuel.
People who live and work near the border don't want patrols reduced.
"We're very fortunate to have Border Patrol here all the time," Marianna Trevino-Wright said. She works along the river's edge.
Trevino-Wright runs the Butterfly Park in Mission.
"If they have to reduce their presence or move away from this area, it will create vulnerabilities for everyone," Trevino-Wright said.
The document says Trevino-Wright's area will stay closely watched.
The Border Patrol knows the reduction will have an impact in the region, according to the document.
The e-mail mentions "significant officer safety issue" where responding backup is limited. Diminished mobile presence also may lead to an increase in smuggling.
The e-mail also states that quality of life in the region would decline.
It states there would be health and safety risks to agents and immigrants because of a backlog. It also says sensors along the border would be vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
The document goes on to say local law enforcement would be overrun.
"It could impact our security and our quality of life," Trevino-Wright said.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to the Border Patrol to get comments about the document. The agency sent the same statement it provided in May.
"Sequestration continues to have serious impacts on CBP's operations, including nearly $600 million in cuts. We continue to encourage all parties to work together on a solution ... and avoid the damaging impacts to CBP and critical services across the country," the statement says.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS requested an interview with agency officials. That interview remains pending.
CLICK HERE to Read a Redacted Version of the Border Patrol e-mail.
The agency admits they will have security gaps that may lead to an increase in illegal activity throughout the region.
The document, an e-mail from the agency, lays out specific plans to cut patrols along the border. They agency acknowledges in the e-mail that agents' lives and residents' safety could be at risk.
The document states there are some areas agents must patrol constantly, but other areas will get less attention.
The reductions would impact all patrols, including marine, horseback and all-terrain vehicles.
"We are in a fuel crisis, and need to do everything to conserve fuel," the document states.
More agents will be on foot. Others are being transported by van and dropped off at their designated patrol areas.
Agents also are instructed to shut off vehicle engines to conserve fuel.
People who live and work near the border don't want patrols reduced.
"We're very fortunate to have Border Patrol here all the time," Marianna Trevino-Wright said. She works along the river's edge.
Trevino-Wright runs the Butterfly Park in Mission.
"If they have to reduce their presence or move away from this area, it will create vulnerabilities for everyone," Trevino-Wright said.
The document says Trevino-Wright's area will stay closely watched.
The Border Patrol knows the reduction will have an impact in the region, according to the document.
The e-mail mentions "significant officer safety issue" where responding backup is limited. Diminished mobile presence also may lead to an increase in smuggling.
The e-mail also states that quality of life in the region would decline.
It states there would be health and safety risks to agents and immigrants because of a backlog. It also says sensors along the border would be vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
The document goes on to say local law enforcement would be overrun.
"It could impact our security and our quality of life," Trevino-Wright said.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to the Border Patrol to get comments about the document. The agency sent the same statement it provided in May.
"Sequestration continues to have serious impacts on CBP's operations, including nearly $600 million in cuts. We continue to encourage all parties to work together on a solution ... and avoid the damaging impacts to CBP and critical services across the country," the statement says.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS requested an interview with agency officials. That interview remains pending.
CLICK HERE to Read a Redacted Version of the Border Patrol e-mail.
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