Barr Vows to Defend Border Integrity

U.S. Atty. Gen. William Barr, ending his visit to the most highly politicized section of border in the nation, Monday fended off criticism of a plan to bring more Border Patrol agents here as part of a major buildup to preserve “the integrity of our borders.”

At least half of the 300 new agents nationwide are expected to be assigned here, the largest staff increase since 1986 for this sector of the border, which accounts for nearly half of all apprehensions of illegal immigrants nationwide.

Barr told law enforcement officials that he wants to help immigrants who enter the United States by the “front door”--legally--and to get tough on illegal immigrants who are “crashing in the back door.”