Nine Border Patrol offices around the country are shutting down -- six of those are in Texas -- and one in Abilene, according to U.S. Customs & Border Protection officials.
The offices will close over the next six months, and the agents will be given the option of relocating to offices closer to the Mexican border.
Tucked away on Industrial Blvd. in South Abilene, many people are unaware of the federal agency's presence in the Big Country.
"I think it's always been here, it just hasn't always been publicized," said Diana Dennis, who has worked in an office several doors down for two years.
The move is meant to shift agents closer to the Mexican border, where officials said the real problem lies.
Abilene's Border Patrol Station has been in existence since 1988, officials said, and in recent years, has acted as a sub-station for the San Angelo office.
Even though only two agents work from the location -- locals do not necessarily think the government's plan is a good one.
"Yes, it's more prevalent near the border, but it's all over, not just down there," Dennis said. "And I think here or closer to Dallas, you're going to see more of it."
Nearby business owner David Sivley agreed.
"I would hate to see them leave," Sivley said. "I like the fact that they're here because I've been concerned violence near the border would spread to here."
Taylor County Sheriff Les Bruce said while he will miss the convenience of having federal agents close by. he supports the relocation and putting more manpower near the border.
"It's not necessarily going to be a strain," Bruce said when asked about the impact on local law enforcement. "I think the time consumed is going to be different, because we're talking a distance now from Industrial Blvd. to Del Rio, Texas."
Below is a statement from the U.S. Custom and Border Protection released to KTAB:
"To better align operations with the Border Patrol Strategic Plan, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is deactivating nine (9) interior BP stations: Billings, MT; Twin Falls, ID; Abilene, TX; San Angelo, TX; Riverside, CA; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Lubbock, TX and Amarillo, TX.
"In order to accomplish its mission more efficiently and to use its personnel more effectively, Customs and Border Protection has increasingly concentrated its resources in the immediate border areas. These deactivations are consistent with the strategic goal of securing America's borders, and our objective of increasing and sustaining the certainty of arrest of those trying to enter our country illegally. By redeploying and reallocating resources at or near the border, CBP will maximize the effectiveness of its enforcement mandate and align our investments with our mission."
The offices will close over the next six months, and the agents will be given the option of relocating to offices closer to the Mexican border.
Tucked away on Industrial Blvd. in South Abilene, many people are unaware of the federal agency's presence in the Big Country.
"I think it's always been here, it just hasn't always been publicized," said Diana Dennis, who has worked in an office several doors down for two years.
The move is meant to shift agents closer to the Mexican border, where officials said the real problem lies.
Abilene's Border Patrol Station has been in existence since 1988, officials said, and in recent years, has acted as a sub-station for the San Angelo office.
Even though only two agents work from the location -- locals do not necessarily think the government's plan is a good one.
"Yes, it's more prevalent near the border, but it's all over, not just down there," Dennis said. "And I think here or closer to Dallas, you're going to see more of it."
Nearby business owner David Sivley agreed.
"I would hate to see them leave," Sivley said. "I like the fact that they're here because I've been concerned violence near the border would spread to here."
Taylor County Sheriff Les Bruce said while he will miss the convenience of having federal agents close by. he supports the relocation and putting more manpower near the border.
"It's not necessarily going to be a strain," Bruce said when asked about the impact on local law enforcement. "I think the time consumed is going to be different, because we're talking a distance now from Industrial Blvd. to Del Rio, Texas."
Below is a statement from the U.S. Custom and Border Protection released to KTAB:
"To better align operations with the Border Patrol Strategic Plan, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is deactivating nine (9) interior BP stations: Billings, MT; Twin Falls, ID; Abilene, TX; San Angelo, TX; Riverside, CA; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Lubbock, TX and Amarillo, TX.
"In order to accomplish its mission more efficiently and to use its personnel more effectively, Customs and Border Protection has increasingly concentrated its resources in the immediate border areas. These deactivations are consistent with the strategic goal of securing America's borders, and our objective of increasing and sustaining the certainty of arrest of those trying to enter our country illegally. By redeploying and reallocating resources at or near the border, CBP will maximize the effectiveness of its enforcement mandate and align our investments with our mission."
