Local impact of immigration plan

Nov. 20, 2014 8:24 PM PT

One of the major elements of President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration was to stiffen enforcement at the southern border by implementing changes for both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

In his speech, Obama pointed out that the population of unauthorized immigrants has not grown since 2007 and border apprehensions are at their lowest level since the 1970s.

Still, he announced a “Southern Border and Approaches Campaign Plan, which will strengthen the efforts of the agencies who work to keep our border secure.” Second, the president said a goal will be to streamline the immigration court process through the Justice Department.

It was not immediately evident how the president’s measures will impact staffing and operations of the San Diego border, immigration and federal justice agencies. Spokespeople from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Border Patrol and the local Border Patrol agents union declined to comment. A representative of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services did not reply to a request for comment.

A San Diego Border Patrol agent, who asked that his name not be used because he was not authorized to speak publicly, expressed concern about increased attempts at illegal immigration and for the safety of his colleagues.

“We understand that in some cases granting some form of relief is beneficial to those in unique situations. Yet, this will place added strain and pressure to assets working the line because of this action,” the agent wrote via email.

“We have seen in years past that when there is a small glimmer of hope that one can get past the green line to apply for status, it is that human desire for a better way of life that they risk life and limb. The numbers consistently show that assaults against agents, injuries to agents, allegations of abuse against agents raise proportional to the numbers of people trying to illegally cross the border.”

Currently the Border Patrol is in a hiring surge.

With more people going through the immigration system, the changes could also result in an increase in casework for immigration workers.