Cracks in Arizona's Border Security

NEAR SONOITA, Ariz. - For years, some analysts claimed the Border Patrol catches just a fraction of those attempting to cross the Mexican border, but a new study is reporting just the opposite.

"We haven't seen much border patrol and I guarantee you won't see any along this border...there is nobody watching this place at all," says Arizona rancher Gary Thrasher.

Thrasher drives near the border daily - what he sees is not what Washington says.

Secretary Napolitano says the border has never been more secure. Ranchers in southeast Arizona say it's never been worse. Which is it?

"Statistically, she is right, realistically, she is absolutely wrong," said Thrasher.

Unlike heavily fortified border cities such as Yuma or San Diego, the places in between are not.

While it is true the number of illegal immigrants caught is down, it doesn't mean the border is secure. The real problem begins in this heavy, rugged brush - very difficult to find anyone in it. There are no cameras. In the area, we saw just two Border Patrol agents. In a day and a half, I can be in Sierra Vista - over the Huachuca Mountains and gone for good.

"Border agents tell me day or night, there are 300 to 500 illegals coming across the mountain...the influx is so intense and relentless, the people who live here often call it an invasion," said Thrasher.

Ranchers provided video to the Center for Immigration Studies showing illegals running through their property, with no Border Patrol in sight.

"Once a migrant makes a decision to set forth for the United States, they ultimately get in - 95 to 99 percent," said Jeffrey Passell of the Pew Hispanic Center.

"The Border Patrol will tell you one in four is about what they catch..in some areas, it's one in three," said Thrasher.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu says, "Clearly the border is not secure when the Border Patrol tells us they apprehend one of every 2.6."

Online:

Center for Immigration Studies
www.cis.org

Pew Hispanic Center
pewhispanic.org