For Immediate ReleasePress OfficeContact: Suzanne Lubar, 202-282-8010March16, 2004
In a first -of- its- kind effort to achieve an even safer and more secure Southwestborder, Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Border and TransportationSecurity Asa Hutchinson today unveiled the "Arizona Border Control (ABC)Initiative." The kick-off event attended by Congressman Jim Kolbe, U.S.Attorney for Arizona Paul Charlton and dozens of federal, state and local law enforcementofficials, as well as a delegation from the Government of Mexico was held at the U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air and Marine Operations Hangar in Tucson,Ariz.
This landmark program supports the priority mission of Homeland Security agencies todetect and deter terrorist activities and cross-border illegal trafficking of people anddrugs. Additionally, the ABC Initiative involving hundreds of local, state, tribaland federal law enforcement officers in Arizona will utilize a cooperative approachenhanced with additional personnel, technology and aviation assets.
"The ABC Initiative exemplifies Homeland Security's goal to present one face atthe border as we implement joint border operations with Border Patrol agents and employeesfrom U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ICE, Transportation Security Administration(TSA,) as well as the resources of the Department of the Interior, the Tohono O'OdhamNation, the United States' Attorney Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety and dozensof local law enforcement agencies," said Under Secretary Hutchinson. "Byleveraging these resources, we are better able to multiply the positive effects of thisinitiative and can use the cutting-edge of technology to ensure that Arizonans and ournation's citizens are safer."
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be used to increase border surveillance of illegalactivities. Additional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will also be deployed.
"We believe the use of UAVs and increased aviation operations will greatly enhancethe capabilities of the more than 200 additionally deployed Border Patrol agents bringingthe Tucson Sector to more than 2000 strong," said Under Secretary Hutchinson. "Increasingthe capacity of our detention and removal facilities along with a focused effort with thegovernment of Mexico to use every available tool to break the cycle of death to migrantsin these dangerous terrains where smugglers value profits more than human life will beused."
The ABC Initiative expected to cost in excess of $10 million until the end of FY '04follows Operation ICE Storm, a comprehensive Homeland Security effort to combat andprosecute human smugglers and dismantle smuggling organizations- with a particular focusin Arizona. Since October 2003, ICE Storm has resulted in more than 2,059 criminaland administrative arrests, 162 indictments, as well as the seizure of 86 assault weaponsand nearly $2.5 million. Local police have credited ICE Storm with a more than 30percent drop in homicides in the Phoenix area in the last quarter of 2003, compared to thesame period the previous year.