Fact Sheet: Arizona Border Control Initiative

Release Date: 09/21/04 00:00:00

On March 16, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Arizona Border Control (ABC) Initiative. ABC will continue beyond the September 30th end date. The continuation of ABC through the fall season will provide coordinators with a significant planning period for resource commitments in 2005.

Since its inception the ABC Initiative has contributed to the apprehension of over 351,700 illegal immigrants along the Arizona border. The seven-month period in 2004, compared to 2003 depicts a 56% increase in apprehensions. Deaths by exposure in 2004 decreased by 26%, which can be attributed to the migrant rescues which have increased by 57%.

Apprehensions

Illegal immigrant apprehensions (Tucson/Yuma sectors)
FY03    225,108
FY04    351,757

Drug Seizures

Marijuana seizures (lbs.)
FY03    164,953
FY04    353,302

Cocaine seizures (lbs.)
FY03    86
FY04    4,777

Heroin seizures (lbs.)
FY03    17
FY04    1,525

Border Safety

Migrant deaths
FY03    132
FY04    141

Exposure deaths
FY03    85
FY04    63

Migrant rescues (persons)
FY03    445
FY04    697

Prosecutions

Immigration (felony)
FY03    973
FY04    1,431

Immigration (misdemeanor)
FY03    1,211
FY04    2,955

Note:    2004 and 2003 statistics based on comparison from 3/16 to 9/07.

Keys to Progress

I. Unprecedented Partnerships

Coordination and Communication: This ABC Initiative combined assets of border and transportation security agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with various other federal agencies. The successes of ABC has been a collaborative effort of federal, state, local and tribal partners who remain committed to working together to achieve better operational control of the Arizona border.

Operation ICE Storm:  The ABC Initiative in coordination with Operation ICE Storm will continue efforts to disrupt dismantle and target the financial assets of human smugglers.  The U.S. Attorney for Arizona has committed to prosecuting identified human smugglers. The ABC Initiative follows Operation ICE Storm, a comprehensive Homeland Security effort to combat and prosecute human smugglers and dismantle smuggling organizations- with a particular focus in Arizona. Operation ICE Storm, implemented in October 2003 has resulted in more than 1,526 criminal and administrative arrests, 151 indictments, as well as the seizure of 130 assault weapons and nearly $5.3 million. This operation continuing as part of the ABC Initiative has resulted in 4865 smuggled immigrant arrests, a 45 percent decrease in homicides, a 4 percent decrease in aggravated assaults in 2004 (based on statistics from April-June 2003/2004.)

Los Angeles Area Initiative (LAAI): LAAI is a joint initiative between CBP's Border Patrol, ICE agents and the Transportation Security Administration that began in July 2004 at the Los Angeles International Airport.  Apprehensions with the LAAI stand at over 389. The enforcement teams have three goals -- to curb human smuggling activity at the facility; to interdict and arrest suspected smugglers; and to gather additional intelligence about smuggling methods.  

International Relations: DHS has also strengthened relations with Mexico through programs such as interior repatriation, joint investigations of human smuggling, border safety measures and the announcement of the extension of border crossing cards.

• Interior Repatriation Program: On July 12, 2004 representatives from DHS and the Government of Mexico announced the first flight between the U.S. and the interior of Mexico, transporting Mexican nationals who illegally entered the United States. The Interior Repatriation Program returns illegal migrants to their hometowns in the interior of Mexico City on a voluntary basis.  As of September 19, 2004, over 12,000 Mexican national entering the U.S. illegally have been repatriated under this safe and orderly program. The objective of interior repatriation is to disrupt the cycle of human smuggling by returning Mexican migrants into the interior of Mexico, away from the smuggling organizations in the border areas.  The Interior Repatriation Program is a pilot program that has been assessed throughout the summer months. At its conclusion, the two governments will evaluate the program and determine future plans.

• Expedited Removal Program: Last month the expansion of the expedited removal processing allowed DHS to speed the removal of illegal immigrants who are caught while attempting to enter the United States by fraudulent means or while attempting to elude CBP Border Patrol agents.  This new procedure applies to those caught within 100 miles of the Mexican or Canadian borders, and only if they are apprehended within their first 14 days in the U.S.  The expanded use of expedited removal is primarily directed at those illegal aliens who are not citizens of Mexico or Canada. Expedited removal had been used at our nation's Ports of Entry since April 1997, under the expansion it is now used between the ports.

• Border Crossing Cards: During this time DHS also announced the expansion of the time restriction on border crossing cards (BCCs) used by Mexicans to enter the U.S. for temporary visits.  This decision was closely coordinated between Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Mexican Secretary of Government Santiago Creel. Prior rules had limited the BCC holder to visits of up to 72 hours within the border zone of 25 miles along the border in Texas, New Mexico, and California and 75 miles of the border in Arizona.  Cardholders are exempt from US-VISIT processing for their short, border-zone visits.  In order to travel in the U.S. for longer periods or outside of the border zone, a cardholder must obtain an I-94 form (Record of Entry/Departure), which allows travel throughout the U.S. for up to six months.  The interim rule extended the time limit for BCC visitors from 72 hours to a period of 30 days.  

II. Technology and Resource Commitments

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): On June 25, 2004, DHS announced the first sustained civilian use of unmanned aerial vehicles to curb illegal activities along Arizona's southern border.  Two Hermes 450 UAVs were launched and used as part of a pilot program under the ABC Initiative to assist with border surveillance activities and to augment manned aircraft, helicopters and ground sensors already in place.  The UAV flights controlled and monitored by CBP are scheduled through the end of September 2004.

• The UAVs have permitted greater border coverage and quicker response times in the rugged, desolate areas of the Southwest border. The UAVs have detected several pre-crossing instances, discouraging illegal immigrants from crossing. As of mid September the UAVs have flown over 477 flight hours and assisted in several rescues, over 780 apprehensions, 11 drug-related detections and a notable seizure of over 500 lbs. of marijuana.

• Aviation Operations: Additional aviation resources have been assigned to the ABC Initiative for border surveillance of illegal activities. ICE Air and Marine Operations will continue to fly additional hours patrolling the area with both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.  CBP/Border Patrol assigned four additional A-Star 350 helicopters to assist with these efforts; four will remain.  Air and Marine Operations and the Border Patrol used additional aircraft to rapidly transport search, rescue and enforcement assets to remote areas of the Arizona desert.  

• Personnel "Boots on the Ground": Sixty additional Border Patrol agents who are specially trained in search, rescue and remote tactical operations were deployed temporarily to support ABC initiative. Currently, 30 of the Border Patrol agents are undergoing special operations training to utilize additional high-tech resources. These agents are able to deliver life-saving medical treatment in remote parts of the Arizona desert when necessary. Two hundred experienced Border Patrol agents were permanently assigned to Arizona bringing the Tucson Sector to more than 1,900 agents.

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This page was last modified on 09/21/04 00:00:00