Border section to be upgraded if budget is passed

Aweek ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello announced the two miles of the El Centro Sector Area border that will be upgraded if President Donald Trump’s budget is passed. That stretch starts behind the Gran Plaza Outlets in Calexico and stretches west toward the All-American Canal.

Trump’s proposed budget includes $2.6 billion for border security — $1.6 billion of which will be for “bricks and mortar for a wall,” Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told media recently.

A portion of that money will be used for that two-mile area in Calexico. Other areas that will see upgrades are: 14 miles of primary barriers in San Diego, 20 miles of vehicle barrier in El Paso, four miles of pedestrian barrier in El Paso and 35 new gates in the Rio Grande Valley.

The two-mile stretch in question in Calexico is an area that local USBP agents have told us is a dangerous area to patrol.

Prior to Trump’s executive orders calling for enhanced border security and immigration enforcement, El Centro Sector officials had requested the installation of a secondary fence near the Gran Plaza Outlets.

“It would pretty much shut this area down,” said Agent James Fail, with the agency’s Public Affairs Office, previously during a border tour.

In late April, a group of about 10 immigrants in the country illegally were apprehended near the mall attempting to blend in with shoppers.

The wall in that area is a metal wall that is about 10 feet tall and doesn’t allow for any visibility into Mexico. That makes it difficult, if not impossible, for agents to see threats coming.

Agents are constantly rocked in that area — agents patrol that area with vehicles that have rock guards on windshields for their protection.

“The upgrading of this two-mile section of the border fence is due to the high activity levels and also elevated number of assaults against agents.

Border Patrol agents are assaulted with objects, such as rocks, sticks, contaminated water and mud being thrown at them.

The old landing mat style of fencing in this location does not discourage or deter individuals from climbing over and making an illegal entry into the United States due to the fact that it is not very tall,” said USBP Public Affairs Office Agent Juan Gonzalez.

Officials have not released any information on what type of a fence or wall will be placed there, or if a secondary wall/fence will be built or if the current wall in that section will be replaced. Gonzalez said that design is currently in the process.

What we do know is it appears officials are addressing the biggest need our local sector office has addressed and we hope Washington officials come through, the safety of our agents, outlet shoppers and staffers is worth it.