The U.S. border patrol is planning to get tough with illegal immigrants caught entering the country, even though the number of those apprehended in recent years has dropped significantly.

 

Using a system already in effect in Arizona, the Customs and Border Protection agency wants to send a message by punishing anyone who enters the U.S. illegally. Instead of just dumping illegal immigrants on the other side of the border with Mexico, the tougher measures would include criminal prosecution even for first-time offenders, transporting some illegal immigrants caught in Arizona to Texas and California for deportation, flying others back to Mexico City, and turning over smugglers to Mexican authorities.

 

Twelve years ago, the border patrol had its hands full, apprehending 1.6 million illegal immigrants. By last year, the annual total had plummeted to 327,577—a decline of more than 80% since 2000 and the lowest number of apprehensions in 40 years.

-Noel Brinkerhoff