Suspected MS-13 gang member arrested in Brownsville
Houston Chronicle (AP) : August 30th 2006

Link:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4153136.html

Summary:
Border Patrol agents, assisted by members of the National Guard stopped several illegal aliens attempting to infiltrate the country at the Los Tomates international bridge in Brownsville, TX. The illegals  were spotted using a surveillance camera monitored by Guard members, who then notified the Border Patrol. The responding agents noticed gang tattoos on one of the illegals linking the illegal to MS-13. Further finger print biometric analysis revealed that the illegal had a lengthy criminal history including prior deportation and a conviction for armed robbery in Los Angeles on Aug. 31, 2001. The subject is in custody awaiting removal proceedings and prosecution for re-entry after deportation.

Analysis:
This article gives an example of how the Guard is assisting the Border Patrol. This is good news! It is a very good example of how additional personnel and new technologies can solidify our border. What isn’t mentioned is what happened to the other 8 illegals that were detained. With out any illuminating details, I have to assume that standard protocol was followed. They were detained, processed, maybe biometrics were collected, and then they were given a date and location for an immigration hearing and released. So, of course the will not report to the hearing and remain in the country, which is bad news. Keep in mind the likely reason this gang banger was stopped was because he had a record here in the U.S. The others might very well have records in El Salvador, which U.S. authorities have no access to. Even if U.S. authorities did have access, El Salvador has not made the investment in biometrics, so uncovering an illegal using an alias becomes much less likely.

***Correction***
I am not 100% sure catch and release continues. I read a recent press release from DHS stating that the numbers of captured aliens released pending immigration hearings has decreased dramatically. According to the press release "99% Apprehended Now Being Detained For Return. In the week of August 7-13, 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended 1055 non-Mexican illegal aliens at the Southern border, and released only 7 non-Mexican illegal aliens." My question is, what happened to the Mexican illegal aliens? Though, because that is not strictly within the scope of this blog, I have pursued no follow up.

Related Links:
http://www.team4news.com/Global/story.asp?S=5347960&nav=0w0v
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=P72465_0_10_0
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=state&id=4514342
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8JR3NLG0.html
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=72453_0_10_0_C