A 42-page report released last month by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) called “Border Security: Immigration Enforcement Between Ports of Entry” says the number of people convicted of major crimes who are apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Fiscal 2011 was less than 1 percent.

But, some criminals with non-serious criminal records also may be coming into the United States, and others may be illegally entering by hiding in vehicles or using fake identification.

Two weeks ago, the National Sheriffs Association convened its annual winter meeting in Washington D.C.

We generally hold this meeting to coincide with members of Congress coming back to the jobs we expect them to pay attention to. Sadly, the Senate was still mostly adjourned and the majority of House members were still back home. I am writing you, not to disparage Congress, but to bring new attention to the outrageous and atrocious antics of our own U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

 PHOENIX — With many of those crossing the border illegally shifting to remote areas in response to stepped-up enforcement, the trash they leave behind is becoming tougher and riskier to clean up, a state agency director told lawmakers Thursday.

“These are dangerous areas,” Henry Darwin told the Senate Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty Committee. “These are known areas of illegal immigration, illegal drug trafficking.”

To the Editor: