Amarillo, TX - The Border Patrol agents in our area will soon be permanently placed closer to the border.
Nine border patrol offices will soon be deactivated, meaning agents at interior offices in the U.S. will soon move to the border.
The U.S. Border Patrol said through spokesperson Bill Brooks, the deactivation is aimed at keeping the U.S. safer.
"Deactivations are consistent with our strategic goal which is securing America's borders and the objective of increasing and sustaining the certainty of arrest for those who are trying to cross illegally," said Brooks.
Local law enforcement say they are concerned the loss of the two agents in Amarillo will have a great impact.
"You know, I-40 is a corridor for not only narcotics but also for the human trafficking and we do use the Border Patrol quite a bit to come out and help us with those. They are the ones that have the authority to arrest them and detain them, we don't," said Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas.
Brooks says because of the Department of Homeland Security there will still be assistance for local law enforcement when it comes to dealing with illegals.
"Border Patrol agents that are currently stationed in these inland stations will receive permanent change of stations to somewhere on the border. Local law enforcement will have to contact Immigration Customs Enforcement if they have a need for assistance," added Brooks.
Sheriff Thomas is concerned if there is no immediate help for them, they would have to release the people they find.
"We could potentially have to release them if we don't have any resources here that could help us detain them or place them or any help with that,' said Thomas.
The changes are expected to take place in around six months.
