The U.S. border patrol is preparing to deploy a new blimp in New Mexico to watch over a lethal route commonly used by migrants attempting to enter the country.
A high-tech surveillance blimp, known as an aerostat, will take to the skies near the Santa Teresa port of entry in the El Paso sector, which has seen over 140 migrant deaths since October.
The deaths are part of a trend along the southwest border, where hundreds die every year in the extreme heat of the desert after crossing between official ports of entry.
CBP has used the blimps, which are equipped with cameras, for around a decade, as part of its surveillance along the southwest border to watch for smugglers, suspicious vehicles and missing migrants.
A U.S. Border Patrol-operated Aerostat surveillance blimp awaits takeoff to overwatch the U.S.-Mexico border on August 16, 2016 at Roma, Texas. In August 2024, New Mexico Congressmen said another would be used at the…
A U.S. Border Patrol-operated Aerostat surveillance blimp awaits takeoff to overwatch the U.S.-Mexico border on August 16, 2016 at Roma, Texas. In August 2024, New Mexico Congressmen said another would be used at the Santa Teresa port of entry.
More
John Moore/Getty Images
On Monday, Senator Martin Heinrich and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, both Democrats of New Mexico, visited the crossing to see the efforts being made by border officials.
“This technology is not only meant to apprehend folks that are crossing the border illegally; it’s also meant to save lives,” Rep. Vasquez told Border Report. “We can do that effectively with various types of technology, including the aerostat which should come online next month right here at the Santa Teresa Border Patrol station.”
Senator Heinrich said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spent years working to modernize the port of entry, highlighting funding secured earlier this year to help tackle the fentanyl trade.
The main aim for the visit was to highlight the congress members’ Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, which they recently announced.
“Last year, we lost more than 110,000 Americans to overdose deaths,” the senator said in a press release. “Here in New Mexico, we have the 6th highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the entire country.
“Congressman Vasquez and I refuse to accept this reality — it’s why we’re working to deliver tools law enforcement personnel need to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets and out of our communities.”
I was joined by @SenatorHeinrich to discuss our legislative proposals with border officials, including the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, to provide critical resources and technology at our ports of entry to save lives and protect families. pic.twitter.com/6pz2DShtPI
— Rep. Gabe Vasquez (@RepGabeVasquez) August 13, 2024
The pair secured $400 million for inspection technology for CBP earlier this year, which included money to fund non-intrusive detection equipment which can scan vehicles entering and leaving the country for drugs.
It is hoped the legislation would expand these efforts, using new detection technology along the border to stop incoming fentanyl.
Republicans were quick to denounce the visit to Santa Teresa, calling it a stunt.
“Martin Heinrich spent years voting against security and safety, only to start acting like he cares weeks before an election because he’s losing to someone who does care,” Republican Senate candidate Nella Domenici told Border Report.
“Heinrich has actively made our border crisis worse, with a dangerous voting record of opening our border and unleashing cartels and lethal drugs from China into our state.”
Newsweek reached out to the Congressmen and CBP for comment, but is yet to receive a response.
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected]
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66bbc188c5384223a45af71601f80488&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Fus-mexico-border-blimp-missing-migrants-border-patrol-1938752&c=8464916469953884945&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-13 09:16:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
