Crackdown Nets Additional 527 Illegal Aliens

As long-awaited immigration reform legislation neared reality in Washington Thursday, the Border Patrol arrested 527 illegal aliens during the fourth day of a sweep through North County.

The arrests brought the number of apprehensions during the weeklong crackdown to 2,271. North County is a prime destination for farm laborers who have crossed the border from Mexico.

Federal officials have expressed hopes that the pending legislation, likely to receive final congressional approval this week, would stem most illegal immigration. But many observers believe new laws are unlikely to deter impoverished Latin Americans from entering the United States illegally in search of work.

The crackdown in North County came as a result of complaints by local residents and police that the illegal aliens were committing crimes and harassing citizens, said Eugene Smithburg, assistant Border Patrol chief in San Diego.

However, others in the area said the aliens pose no threat.

“We come here for work, not to cause any problems,” said Alejandro Gomez, 29, a Tijuana resident who was in Carlsbad with two relatives looking for work.

The Border Patrol says it plans to continue its sweep today before evaluating the operation and determining whether some similar form of pressure will be continued.

During the crackdown, 35 to 40 agents have been reassigned from other posts to patrol North County.