Push comes as major drug busts made at border involving Mexican trucks

By Jeremy Los

May 22, 2011- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) is leading a bi-partisan push to end a cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican trucks to use U.S. roadways. Hunter and Illinois Democrat Daniel Lipinski sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood protesting the agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The letter has rare bipartisan agreement, signed by 42 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle including Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego).

The lawmakers claim that the program will tarnish border security as well as hurt the American economy and cost jobs. In addition, concerns have been raised over highway safety.

March 30, 2011 (Washington D.C.) Earlier this month, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act, which includes San Diego Congressman Brian Bilbray among its cosponsors. The measure would provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with full discretionary authority to build up to 350 miles of additional infrastructure on the Southwest border.

Lawsuit Charged Lack Of Medical And Mental Health Care Led To Death and Unnecessary Suffering

November 30, 2010 (San Diego) – The Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA)'s Narcotics Task Force in San Diego, in partnership with local law enforcement, seized over 378,243 marijuana plants county-wide in 2010. More than half (294,175) were removed from public lands—including U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties utilized by hikers, campers, and other members of the public.

Discovery leads to arrests and significant marijuana seizure

November 27, 2010 (Otay Mesa)—More than 20 tons of marijuana have been seized and eight people have been arrested following discovery of the second major cross-border tunnel found in the past two weeks. The half-mile-long tunnel links an Otay Mesa warehouse to a residence in Tijuana, Mexico.

 

November 3, 2010 (San Diego) – The San Diego Tunnel Task Force uncovered a sophisticated 600-yard underground cross-border tunnel overnight, the U.S. Justice Department Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reveals. Approximately 30 tons of marijuana seized in the US and Mexico have been linked to the tunnel.

October 5, 2010 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Bob Filner announced that the Department of Treasury has approved a grant for construction work on the final segment of the I-805/SR-905 interchange near the Otay Mesa Port-of-Entry. Awarded under the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program, the grant will pay for the completion of access to the Otay Mesa Port-of-Entry’s intermodal connector.

Update September 4 2010, 12 p.m.  -- The Cowboy Fire is 827 acres and 65% contained. Full containment is expected tomorrow at 6 p.m. and full control is expected on September 7th at 6 p.m., Cal-Fire reports. View map of fire at bottom of this article.

East County News Service

September 3, 2010 (Campo) – The Cowboy Fire, which has burned 822 acres, was started by two illegal immigrants who were in distress, Cal-Fire reports.

“They called C4, which is Mexico’s emergency dispatch system, and advised them that they had been lost for two days, were stranded, dehydrated, and were going to light a signal fire to attempt to get some help,” said Roxanne Provaznik, public information officer for Cal-Fire.

July 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- The FBI is seeking information that will lead to the arrest of the following individuals in relation to the"Operation Luz Verde" (green light) charges announced early today on federal racketeering charges related to a drug trafficking cartel:  

Juan Carlos Rique, aka JC Age 26 Tijuana, Mexico
Jennifer Escamilla Age 26 Tijuana, Mexico
Hassain Alzubaidy, aka Arab Age 25 Moreno Valley, California

Hunter introduces bill to block federal lawsuit against Arizona; local activists head to Arizona for mass protest

Obama administration audits thousands of companies to force them to drop undocumented immigrant workers

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –Local opponents and supporters of Arizona’s new immigration law are taking actions ranging from protests to legislation. Meanwhile, a new statewide Field poll of California voters released this week finds the public nearly evenly divided, with 49% in support and 45% opposed. 

Update:  The injured man, Anastasio Hernandez, died Saturday. The County Medical examiner's office listed high blood pressure, methamphetamine use, and the physical altercation with officers as contributing factors in his death.

May 29, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police homicide detectives are investigating the serious injury of a 32-year-old Mexican border crosser. Following a struggle, a Border Patrol agent used a Taser to subdue the suspect, who quit breathing and is not expected to survive, according to SDPD.