The new in 'n' out - immigration checkpoints in San Diego

It's not just people crossing the border into the U.S. in San Diego who get the once-over from immigration officials -- those heading south get special scrutiny as well. Richard Marosi explains how border authorities are stepping up enforcement.

At random times near the Tijuana-San Diego border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have been setting up checkpoints, boarding buses destined for Mexico and pulling off people who don't have proper documentation.

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The checkpoints, which are not announced in advance, are set up on southbound Interstate 5 about 100 yards north of the border. Vehicles in all lanes must stop.

Vincent Bond, an agency spokesman, said departing immigrants are fair targets.

"If our officers come upon people who are here illegally . . . regardless of whether they're leaving the country, we detain them, make a record of the fact they were here illegally and return them to Mexico," Bond said.

Feds say those with serious criminal records or a lot of immigration violations get detained. The majority are on their way back to Mexico within hours. More on the immigration issue -- including opposition from immigration rights groups -- in Richard's full story.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Itsa Bouttime]

Good for the border control! These people are not "leaving the country voluntarily." They are leaving temporarily and will be back to continue to break our laws. Why should I follow the law, why should anyone pay any attention to any law at all when these people have ignored our laws and gotten away with breaking them? The same people who feel sorry for these "immigrants" want our government and all of the U.S. legal residents and citizens to follow laws that work in favor of these "immigrants," but they are not concerned about the laws that these "immigrants" are breaking. HYPOCRISY!

[John Regoto]

All I can say is there are a LOT less "citizens" standing around in the street looking like deer in headlights. It was getting really bad....at least they are hiding now like they should be....who stands around in the street anyway? Pitiful...

[Nathan]

I think its funny how people want illegals to go back. I am left to wonder who is going to pick those fruits and veggies everyone eats everyday. When was the last time you saw any other race out there working in the hot sun or the cold winter mornings. I mean I def. agree that illegals should try to learn the language and work on becoming a citizen. However a lot of people think its will be a lot easier with the illegals out of the U.S. I think with out them doing the jobs most are not willing to do themselves. No one would do them. I mean I know I have tried working in the fields and for the little it pays its not worth it. I hope people see what the so called illegals go through just to make a buck. Its not like us that can look for any job we want at a fast food place or a firm.

[acc]

I agree with Nathan.
Who's going to do the real work?

[Hunter]

Man I think it is wrong for people to assume that all immigrants are bad and break laws. This country was founded on immigration and should stay that way it is called the land of the free for a reason. It is true that they should learn the language and some culture of the U.S.A but with their 2 jobs and low pay they don't got the money to buy those expensive English courses or the history classes there here to work not break laws they just want a better life, aren't they titled to the pursuit of happyness. Any person thinking that they are less for not having the proper papers should put their head down in shame because there is bad people everywhere, not just south of the border but everywhere.

[yeli]

i appreciate the comments made by nathan and the other people that think like him--yes i do agree that there are some immigrants that break the laws and do what they want, but if you compare the amount of people that are here to actually work and find a better life, it is really a huge difference -- i personally think that those that have committed bad crimes should go to jail and sent back. they are my people but, i have no sympathy for them at all. why should i when they are making me look bad and making others look bad too. especially when it affects others to legalize them selfs. i understand that some people dont like our kind at all for personal reasons and thats ok, know one is telling you to like or dislike certain people, but before you judge everyone for one persons stupidity please think about it twice. yea some have to pay for what others do but thats just the way the cookie crumbles --because thy have no documentation to stand up for them selfs. and then again there are those that are just raciest, but its ok because its not your fault that your that way. you where raised that way.. but then again don't be surprised when your grand chlidren's fathers or mothers are foreigner's. its one of gods punishments.

[LINDEY]

NO ONE is good enough to point fingers, just like there is good people theirs bad....either way are are we "Caucasian's" complaining about the people that are trying to have a better life and help their families when WE OUR SELF'S are IMMIGRANTS ... doesn't history of USA mentions the we were running away from England, I mean let be real this land was never ours it was the Native American land we took over by FORCE and LIES and if it comes down to POINTING MISTAKES AND RULE BRAKING onto others I think WE AS AMERICANS should start taking out the spring cleaning with our own... BELIEVE when their is a lot more sick minded people of other races (INCLUDING "WHITE") that kill people, rape children, abuse others, etc> than the ones were are trying to take out because at one point or another then end-up been better Samaritans than what AMERICANS are....BESIDES if nobody works the fields then we are either going to go HUNGRY FOR FOOD or PAY BILLIONS for imported food ... because UNLESS we get paid 100% more money to work on the field than what you get by working in a ventilated office were youspend half the time chit-chatting with your buddy's and pretending we are the BIG s&*(^! just because you have an education .... NO ONE ELSE BESIDES THE HISPANIC WILL DO IT...!!

AND for the HISPANIC if you came to this country to better yourselves START by learning and EDUCATING your selves BEYOND your current knowledge....that way your chances of IMPROVING are higher than what NAIVE & SELF-CENTER-SELFISH people think....

P.S.
"With the RULE that you measure YOU will be MEASURED AS WELL".... "LOOK AT YOUR MISTAKES BEFORE YOU START JUDGING THE OTHERS."