Cartels Ramping Up Ways To Target Border Patrol
President Donald Trump has increased border security across the United States’ southern border with Mexico in an attempt to cut down on the illegal immigration crisis. However, that’s caused cartels to become desperate.
According to Lora Ries, the director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, she explains that cartels are losing business thanks to the border having more security posted than in previous years.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Ries explained that “”The cartels are losing business. The encounters at the border are the lowest they’ve been in decades, and the cartels are not just going to give up that business quietly.” Her statement came at a time when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stopped wearing body cameras while operating out in the field.
This decision came about because it was found that their body cameras could be tracked using a BLE Radar which uses Bluetooth capability to scan for body cameras that are within a 100-yard radius. “Pending completion of investigation and risk mitigation, all Agents will stand down the use of their BWCs [body worn cameras] until further notice. Additional guidance and information will be disseminated as it is received,” a border patrol agent recently said.
Cartels found out that by tracking border patrol agents they could also make threats on their lives in order to operate their drug businesses with more ease. “It is possible that they could use the cameras… the low-level frequency interception to track the agents, harm the agents, and attack the agents,” Ries explained.
She also said that the removal of the body cameras will take away the ability of agents to disprove allegations of abuse towards migrants. “I anticipate the number of claims of abuse are about to jump to exploit this lack of camera use,” Ries stated.
Other Strategies The Cartel Could Use To Target CBP Agents
Shooters on the Mexican side of the southern border could be implemented by the cartels to target border patrol agents, according to Ries. “”I just saw a memo about potentially using a shooter on the Mexican side to shoot at our agents and our military, so we have to assume that’s being planned and use countermeasures against it,” she said.
Drones have also been a noted tool of the cartel to try and track CBP agents and their whereabouts. However, this threat may be becoming less common thanks to the U.S. military having a larger presence at the southern border.
Threats From Inside the United States
The cartel isn’t the only threat that CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have to deal with. They also need to watch out for threats from within the United States. For example, ICE raids have been leaked recently which could cause a massive safety issue for the agents.
Referring to the leaks of the raids, Ries states, “That subjects ICE agents to an ambush. It’s one thing for aliens to flee, so when ICE shows up there’s no one there… worse would be if aliens stay here and attack ICE agents, that is a risk.” Ries also says that leaks could come from those who are against President Trump’s plan to greatly reduce the amount of illegal immigrants who are residing in the United States.
Overall, Ries states that Congress needs to step in to provide more funding for agents in order for them to properly combat these threats. “It’s technology, it’s equipment, it’s intel, and personnel… they can’t be out patrolling alone, they need to work together,” she said.
“Congress is working, although too slowly, getting resources to CBP and ICE to continue to carry out these mass deportations. Congress needs to hurry up.”
If Congress is able to step up in the way Lora Ries suggests, then threats at the southern border against CBP and ICE agents will likely be reduced. That in turn will create a safer border.
