Report: Illegal Border Crossings Have Doubled During Recent 'Amnesty' Talks

"A lot of these people...are criminals or aggravated felons. This is a direct danger to our communities."

U.S. Border Patrol agents guard a group of Mexican immigrants caught after they crossed into the United States on March 6, 2013 near Walker Canyon, Arizona. (Photo: Getty Images)

As America's elected officials and the "Gang of Eight" hammer out a deal on immigration reform, the number of illegal border crossings has exploded, according to a report from Townhall.

Townhall editor and bestselling author Katie Pavlich writes:

"We've seen the number of illegal aliens double, maybe even triple since amnesty talk started happening," an agent told Townhall, who asked to remain unnamed due to fears of retaliation within Customs and Border Protection [CBP], something he said is common. "A lot of these people, although not the majority, are criminals or aggravated felons. This is a direct danger to our communities."
Data obtained by Townhall and reported within CBP from February 5 through March 1, 2013 shows 504 illegal aliens were spotted exploiting the Tucson/Nogales area, 189 were caught on CBP intelligence cameras. Of those 504, only 174 were apprehended and 32 of the 189 on camera were carrying large drug load packs for Mexican cartels. Some were armed with AK-47 style weapons.

A Mexican immigrant sits under U.S. Border Patrol supervision after his group was caught while crossing into the United States on March 6, 2013 near Walker Canyon, Arizona. (Photo: Getty Images)

And it's not a coincidence that attempts to cross the border are skyrocketing while immigration reform is being discussed, it seems. An agent with whom Townhall spoke said that when apprehended, some illegals ask where they can go to get amnesty.

Staffing cuts related to sequestration may also play a factor, but Townhall sources claim that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been fully funded -- the money is just being spent on management rather than those doing the patrolling.

"Customs and Border Protection has been given enough money to fully staff the border but has chosen to use the money elsewhere, we believe it is to fund the salaries of Supervisory CBP Officers..." Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council Shawn Moran told Townhall. "It is internal politics within CBP and also with immigration reform. There are still battles between legacy Customs, INS, and Border Patrol managers as to the direction CBP takes and how the funds are being used. Meanwhile both parties claim no immigration reform until the border is secured, well this surely will not secure the border."

Many expect that the number of illegal border crossings will only continue to increase as uncertainty about the future of U.S. immigration policy continues.

"We have seen increased crossings and smuggling since word of staffing cuts began circulating. The illegals have even told us that is why they tried crossing," Moran added for Townhall. "The border is safer but by no means secure."

Click here to read the entire report from Townhall.

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