Border Patrol checkpoints reopen in New Mexico

The U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in the El Paso Sector have reopened. The inland checkpoints were closed in late March to allow agents to help process the large number of migrants crossing ports of entry and illegally crossing in desert areas, officials said at the time. The influx of migrants has slowed in recent months. Also, the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” program has been utilized to keep asylum-seekers in border cities while awaiting hearings in U.S. immigration courts. "While the El Paso Sector is still experiencing significantly higher traffic in our area, the funding for additional infrastructure, along with personnel support from government agencies throughout the country has allowed a significant number of agents to return to their primary assignments, to include immigration checkpoints," the Border Patrol stated in a news release.Southern New Mexico community leaders have expressed safety concerns over the checkpoint closures in recent months. Otero County used statistics showing the number of drug seizures rising since the closure of the checkpoints to support the passage of a resolution declaring a "state of emergency." Most of the population of Otero County resides just outside of the checkpoints. Couy Griffin, the Otero County Commission chairman, said the reopening of the checkpoints was "great news." "The asylum seekers having to stay in Mexico till they get processed has created some relief for our Border Patrol and they can get back on the checkpoints. We’re extremely excited about that and grateful," he said, clarifying that he was not speaking for the rest of the county commission...MORE