(NewsNation) — The Border Patrol is identifying and removing individuals with prior criminal convictions who entered via the U.S.’ northern border, the world’s largest, and gave NewsNation an exclusive look at how it is getting it done.
NewsNation accompanied agents in the Spokane Sector in Whitefish, Montana, as they pursued these criminal targets early Tuesday morning.
During the ride-along, an individual from Mexico was apprehended who had been encountered by Border Patrol at least four times. He has since been deported to Mexico. Four other individuals were arrested.
“In the car were four other folks that happened to be illegally present in the country as well,” Spokane Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jason Liebe explained to NewsNation.
“So all five are arrested and are brought here to be processed and will be ultimately turned over for removal proceedings.”
Daily, border agents are working closely with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations to target individuals who are here in the U.S. illegally and have been convicted of a crime.
NewsNation was also with Border Patrol agents during another arrest of a Mexican man in the country illegally. A driver from Venezuela was let go due to his temporary protected status.
Last week, the Spokane Sector encountered and apprehended a Jalisco New Generation Cartel member, which is one of the cartels listed on the Trump administration’s terrorist list.
Agents said such incidents are not uncommon, and they will continue to go after those criminal targets.
Liebe also told NewsNation their targeted enforcement operations are up far more than 100% when compared to this time last year due to a lack of deployment to the southern border.
Notwithstanding the decreased border interactions, Liebe believes the cartels will pivot, likely increasing their human smuggling efforts.