Maritime border patrols will be increased to stop those without a US Visa entering the country illegally.
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07 March 2011
Increased maritime border security to prevent illegal US immigrants
The United States Border Patrol plans to increase security along the Orange County coastline to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country.
In 2010, border guard and Coast Guard officials made almost 1,000 interceptions of people without a US Visa trying to enter the country by sea in San Clemente, Dana Point and other Southern California coastal cities.
These illegal migrants are usually aided by people smuggling organisations, and pay between $5,000 and $7,000 a person to cross the border.
Small fishing boats called “pangas” carry around 27 people, or up to two tons of narcotics ashore, said border patrol officials. Pangas and/or jet skis typically depart from Ensenada or Rosarito, Mexico, and head 40 miles out to sea. They land on the Orange County coastline in the early morning hours and vans waiting on the beach then take migrants to safe houses.
Attempts of illegal maritime border crossings have increased dramatically over the last three years because of the decrease in the overall rate of illegal immigrants successfully crossing the border on land.
The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their ESTA applications to the US Embassy.
