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For up to a year, nearly a third of cameras along the U.S.-Mexico border have been out of operation, a flaw that could be aiding illegal immigration, according to a Newsweek investigation. Border agents stationed at critical points along the southern U.S. border have been fighting to control immigration as cartels exploit these surveillance gaps to smuggle undocumented migrants into the country. Many of these cameras, intended to alert law enforcement to illegal crossings, have been deemed obsolete, with immigration authorities acknowledging that the technology is no longer fit for purpose.

 

One border agent described the situation as a "big nationwide issue," noting that the blind spots created by these malfunctioning cameras allow traffickers to cross undetected. This revelation has fueled criticism from Republicans who argue that the camera failures highlight what they see as the “wide-open border policies” of the Biden-Harris administration. Republicans claim that these policies are encouraging human trafficking and illegal immigration.

 

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, both aiming to sway voters ahead of the upcoming presidential election, have yet to fully address the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.

 

Public sentiment appears to be in line with these concerns. According to a recent Gallup poll, 42 percent of Americans view the situation at the border as a "crisis," while 35 percent see it as a "major problem." Additionally, 55 percent of Americans support reducing immigration, the highest percentage recorded since 2001. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida seized on the findings, stating, "From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has ignored our immigration laws and allowed criminals to flood into our communities. Reports of gaps in our surveillance should surprise no one while this administration remains in control."

 

As the issue escalates, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is facing increasing pressure. Officials have acknowledged that their Remote Video Surveillance Systems, used along the border for over 15 years, are outdated and in need of significant upgrades. Maintaining these systems has become costly, as they require constant manpower to monitor the feeds. Hector Garza, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, emphasized how this problem has worsened over the past eight months. Initially thought to affect only specific areas, it is now understood to be a broader issue nationwide.

 

Garza highlighted that these surveillance gaps have contributed to an increase in human smuggling, particularly in the Laredo sector of the Texas-Mexico border. "Blind spots on the border are hotbeds for smuggling activity," Garza stated, explaining how agents have lost their ability to anticipate and intercept illegal border crossers. Without functional cameras, agents face higher risks, as they are unable to properly monitor organized crime syndicates operating in these areas. "The camera towers along the border are one of our best assets that we have to be able to know what is coming across the border and to be able to better place agents in different areas," he added.

 

The malfunctioning camera network has created significant security risks, especially in areas notorious for cartel activity. Around 30 percent of surveillance cameras along the U.S.-Mexico border are currently non-operational, with 150 out of 500 cameras affected by the outages. With law enforcement heavily reliant on these systems, the gaps in surveillance have made it increasingly difficult to monitor the border effectively.

 

As the situation unfolds, there are calls for urgent repairs and upgrades. However, without immediate action, the failures in border surveillance will likely continue to be exploited by smugglers, leaving U.S. border agents under greater strain.

 

Based on a report from Newsweek 2024-10-24

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Is anyone surprised?