Thursday, October 14, 2004
Agents checking smaller airports
The San Diego (CA) North County Times
NORTH COUNTY —- A federal homeland security effort to deter the smuggling of illegal immigrants through airports in San Diego and Imperial counties includes the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, officials said Wednesday. Authorities have been concerned that the tighter control this year along the Arizona border might increase illegal immigrant smuggling at commercial and smaller charter airports in this region.
On Friday through Monday, federal agents teamed up to check for illegal immigrants at Lindbergh Field and Montgomery Field in San Diego, the Carlsbad airport and three small airports in Imperial County.
Seven illegal immigrants were found trying to fly out of Lindbergh, officials said.
“We will continue to monitor airports and other types of transportation facilities, such as bus terminals and train facilities,” said Lauren Mack, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mack said the operation, which includes the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, hasn’t extended yet to other airports in the county.
