Expedited Removal a succes in the Valley

NEWSCHANNEL 5, KRGV-TV ^ | 22 March 06 | KRGV

[fidelio]

EDINBURG - A new program to strengthen border security is changing the face of illegal immigration in the Rio Grande Valley, according to the Border Patrol.

[Between the Lines]

In Fiscal Year 2005, Valley agents caught 22,160 Brazilian illegal immigrants. Almost six months into FY 2006, the number is down to 401.

Good news! Now let's apply this to the entire border. Otherwise the problem just moves to another port of entry.

[LegendHasIt]

"A new program known as Expedited Removal has targeted a group of illegal immigrants known as Other Than Mexican, or OTM."

Ok, So, it is fine with them if Mexicans come in illegally, but anyone else is a problem.

I suppose I should celebrate that they are doing anything at all, but this just seems to send a completely wrong message.

[fidelio]

Actually, Mexicans caught here illegally are deported. It used to be that OTMs were released into the US after capture.

[AnimalLover]

BUMP

[NewRomeTacitus]

The crackdown on the Other Than Mexicans is just a tactic that simultaneously makes our government look good while illegals from Mexico continue invading with minimal hassle. Because they are our President's Chosen People.

Now don't go bothering him with stories about drug cartels and murderous, child-prostituting gangs and such - that would wizz on his cemented view that all of these invaders are good Christian folks who's work ethic surpasses all of we natives.

Kind of an odd opinion for a privileged fellow to hold who's never had to worry about survival.

[arthurus]

I am not sure anything of substance is being accomplished here. The Brazilians were looking for someont to surrender to before, to get a meal and a bed for a night, I suppose, now they are not. That's all this is saying. The "success" of the change seems to be the reduction in workload. When this fence is finished deportation should be across the fence regardless of origin. Plane tickets to Rio ain't cheap. Let Mexico deal with them. When Mexico starts building a large population of South Americans in Northern Mexico, then Mexico will start dealing with the problem.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

They also forgot to mention in the story Mexico changed the visa policy for Brazilians so they need one again to get into that country. That by itself has probably had a dramatic effect on the number of illegals from Brazil trying to get into the US.

[Dustbunny]

Uplifting to read some good news for a change.

[Ben Ficklin]

"I'm not sure anything is being accomplished here."

Based on Senater Coburn's statements and his attempt to influence the Senate Judiciary Committee's negotiated immigration reform bill, it would appear that expedited removal of the OTMs is not a roaring success. It is not clear, at least to me, how punishing the un-cooperative nations will lead to more expedited removal of the OTMs.

This is supported by Sec Chertoff's recent statements that catch and release will not be fully implemented until Oct 06, when Congress may, or may not, fund a sizable number of new detention beds.

[Ben Ficklin]

that ENDING catch and release will not be fully implemented