INS to Tighten High-Speed Chase Rules

The U.S. Border Patrol is planning to place tighter restrictions on its agents’ high-speed auto chases, the Immigration and Naturalization Service said Friday.

Under the plan, agents must radio state and local law enforcement agencies, request assistance from police aircraft and get their supervisors’ approval to engage in a high-speed chase.

Now, Border Patrol agents use their own judgment on beginning a chase if they are unable to contact supervisors.

The new plan stems in part from the June 3 pursuit in Temecula, Calif., of a man smuggling illegal immigrants. Six people were killed in the chase.

The new restrictions--which will not go into effect for several weeks--were being considered by INS when the Temecula crash occurred, INS spokesman Verne Jervis said.

Rep. Al McCandless (R-La Quinta) said the plan from INS Commissioner Gene McNary will be the subject of a hearing Thursday by the House subcommittee on government information, justice and agriculture. McCandless is the panel’s ranking minority member.

McNary notified Sen. John Seymour (R-Calif.) and McCandless, whose district includes Temecula. If further changes are needed to protect citizens, “we will pursue” them “with vigor,” McCandless said in a statement.

The Border Patrol’s employees union is being consulted about the changes. Instructions to Border Patrol agents are being prepared and but it is not known how long it will take to complete them, Jervis said.

INS data shows that the Border Patrol--which has 3,700 agents nationwide--was involved in 3,664 high-speed chases in Southern California in the last 18 months. Those chases occurred in the San Diego area and portions of Riverside and Orange counties.

There were 121 accidents and 44 injuries stemming from the chases, according to the data.