Stepped up Border Patrol action sees results

The Stakeholder Liaison Committee, formed in the spring at the request of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and Green Valley community members because of increased illegal activity is seeing progress, says Lisa Reed, director of Community Relations, Tucson Sector Border Patrol of the Department of Homeland Security.

As of last month, she said, the committee has met three times.

Reed reports that committee members have been providing Agent in Charge of Tucson Station Roger San Martin with helpful information concerning illegal immigration issues in the community and he is using that information to improve his operations and coverage in Green Valley and surrounding areas.

“The feedback he is receiving from the committee members is that residents are seeing less — and in some areas identified as high activity areas — little or no illegal activity at all,” Reed said.

The agent is also working with committee members and educating them on the laws Border Patrol agents enforce and on the best and most efficient way for residents to report suspicious activity that may be related to immigration.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.