BP no longer deporting illegals through Naco

By Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 - 05:22:27 am MST

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BISBEE — The U.S. Border Patrol recently discontinued deporting illegal immigrants at the Naco port of entry.

“We are just making use of the Nogales processing center, not only in the Naco station, but for several areas within the sector,” said Dove Haber, a public information officer with the agency’s Tucson Sector, which includes Cochise County.

She said the changes will help for several reasons. The Naco station has a finite amount of space and agents, and using the Nogales center will let Border Patrol more efficiently process groups and allow for a better utilization of manpower.

Haber said the practice will continue at least until Oct. 1. The federal government’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and at this point officials can’t project what will happen after that.

“The Nogales processing center has a much larger staff and a much larger facility. So the entire situation is a lot safer, a lot cleaner and a lot more effective out there,” she said.

A spokesman for the Mexican Consulate in Douglas said the individuals who are considered vulnerable, such as juveniles, the injured, elderly and pregnant women, are sent to the Douglas port of entry so Mexican officials can take them to shelters, the hospital or other locations in Agua Prieta, Sonora.

The Migrant Resource Center in Naco, Sonora, has helped thousands of Mexicans deported by the U.S. Border Patrol since it opened Jan. 5.

The center is a binational effort of Citizens for Border Solutions in Bisbee and Iglesia del Camino in Naco, Sonora, with help from others. It offers people food, drinks, clothing and advice. It also assists people to receive medical care, find a place to sleep and get a bus ride back home.

“We were having 100 people a day. It had moved to a tremendous number,” said Cecile Lumer, a member of Citizens for Border Solutions.

Since last week, the Migrant Resource Center has experienced a dramatic decrease in the number of people coming for help. But, Lumer said, the center will not close even though Border Patrol is no longer deporting individuals through Naco.

“We are going to keep it open one way or another,” she said, adding that not as many volunteers will work at the center now.

The spokesman for the Mexican Consulate in Douglas said the Migrant Resource Center will still continue to serve some individuals.

“People come from Nogales to Naco because they want to go back to their hometowns and they know the consulate provides some help doing that, but they don’t know that they can maybe get that help somewhere else in Nogales,” he said.

JONATHON SHACAT can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.

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Bobby wrote on Apr 6, 2008 2:26 PM:

" Hey, just deport them from wherever, What American taxpayer really cares? "

Hmmmmmm wrote on Apr 4, 2008 9:59 PM:

" To, to complainers. Name one, where Shacat hasn't quoted Jennifer Allen, BAN. or some other group that are illegals lovers. He show his bias in every article he writes. "

Dave wrote on Apr 4, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Stop complaining about the illegal immigration occupation of our nation! Unless we act now the new president will enact a new AMNESTY for the 12 to 20 million illegal entrants. The new Federal SAVE ACT can effect this impact. I am still deciding if I will remain a Democrat, because the Federal SAVE ACT is being hindered by these politicians. Not that all republicans are without blame.
Go and register your outrage with your Democratic representative and Demand the SAVE ACT.! NOW! "

to complainers wrote on Apr 4, 2008 8:10 AM:

" Some people complain and complain and complain. If you dislike the paper this much, quit reading it.
I have seen numerous articles by Mr. Shacat in which he never once mentioned the Migrant Resource Center.
Let the man do his job. "

SHACAT does it again wrote on Apr 3, 2008 1:23 PM:

" I see SHACAT has once again turned around a story about BP into something that high lights the Mexican Consulate and the Migrant Resource Center. Why didn't he just blame the Patrol for not sending illgals back down to Naco thus making it harder for the MRC to "help" those poor indigent people? Good Lord and Good Grief! At least I could respect him for being honest for once if he did that! "