Is It Truth Or Fiction? Immigration Reports

Two reports the appear to record improvements in border security are being covered by the media. The first reports that border arrests of illegal aliens are down despite an increase in border control agents. The second is a report about the Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) breaking up an a human smuggling ring. The initial source of both reports is the government so it is not implausible that they have spun either or both stories to their advantage.

We have no idea what the 1900 new border agents will be doing as they may be support staff instead of boots on the ground. There is also supposed to be increased security measures. This should increase the number of arrest per those getting through. Since the report indicates the opposite it would seem clear that other factors not reported in this article account for the fewer arrests. One possibility is the unrest and elections that are taking place in Mexico this year.

There is also a report of 13% more marijuana being seized. This could indicate that a higher percentage is being seized or that more is being shipped or even a combination of the two. The reasonable assumption is that the tightened security is making it risky to ship marijuana into the U.S. I do not believe that is the case as it would cause an increase in the street cost and I have not heard of that happening. If you have heard different then provide me with evidence of it.

ICE did a good job breaking the smuggling ring which had been operating for years. The question is what is going to happen to the participants and it this just a cameo bust for public consumption. There is reports of the U.S. returning more illegals to there home country this year but I question how effective that is when we have an fairly open border on both our North and South so the can easily return.

Source 1 is report of heightened arrests on the border

Source 2 is about smuggling ring being busted in Arizona.