Congressman Thornberry Reacts to Border Patrol Closure in Amarillo
By: Cherish McMillan
Updated: August 16, 2012
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Nine Border Patrol stations across the nation will be closed down soon, one of those is in Amarillo.
The Border Patrol station in Amarillo is more than 400 miles from Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security has decided its more efficient to concentrate resources closer to the
Congressman Mac Thornberry says, "I don't understand this decision. The border patrol offices in our region capture a lot of people who are in the country illegally."
Thornberry thinks the inland border patrol stations serve a purpose.
"You don't just stand on the border to enforce the law. You have to be able to enforce the law inside of the country as well," Thornberry said. "The local law enforcement folks are very concerned about what do they do if they detain somebody and there's nobody to call."
The national immigration forum is a Washington advocacy group for immigrants. They say even with the change, local police have all the help they need.
Brittney Nystrom of the National Immigration Forum says, "With the deactivation of inland border patrol stations local law enforcement agencies would still be able to notify ICE if they needed assistance. It seems like a logical move to have your border patrol officers and resources located near the border."
The 6 Texas border patrol stations are due to close at the beginning of next year.
The Border Patrol station in Amarillo is more than 400 miles from Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security has decided its more efficient to concentrate resources closer to the
Congressman Mac Thornberry says, "I don't understand this decision. The border patrol offices in our region capture a lot of people who are in the country illegally."
Thornberry thinks the inland border patrol stations serve a purpose.
"You don't just stand on the border to enforce the law. You have to be able to enforce the law inside of the country as well," Thornberry said. "The local law enforcement folks are very concerned about what do they do if they detain somebody and there's nobody to call."
The national immigration forum is a Washington advocacy group for immigrants. They say even with the change, local police have all the help they need.
Brittney Nystrom of the National Immigration Forum says, "With the deactivation of inland border patrol stations local law enforcement agencies would still be able to notify ICE if they needed assistance. It seems like a logical move to have your border patrol officers and resources located near the border."
The 6 Texas border patrol stations are due to close at the beginning of next year.
