Canal levels increase, pose greater risk for illegal crossers
Updated: Feb 21, 2008 10:12 AM
By Rachel Abell
KVIA.com
EL PASO — Illegally crossing one of the canals along the U.S.-Mexico border is a dangerous feat and many people have lost their lives trying, but authorities now warn that the canals will become even more treacherous.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials warned that the water levels in canals running along the border are expected to rise because of water being released from the New Mexico Elephant Butte Reservoir.
The added volume can create quick-moving undercurrents and deeper water that pose an even more serious threat to those attempting to cross.
The water's release coincides with the irrigation season which began Wednesday and officials estimate the increase should reach El Paso's Upper Valley by Sunday.
Border Patrol officials are worried that smugglers will convince illegal crossers that the increased water levels do not pose any danger when in fact the potential for loss of life is dramatically increased.
In 2007, 13 migrants drowned attempting to cross at various points along canals in the border region. Agents working in the area are trained in emergency response swift-water rescue, but because the danger is increasing, officials are hoping that people will avoid these areas altogether.
With the start of the irrigation season, they also want to warn those who use the river's edge for recreation of the coming rising tides.
2008 American News Articles
February 2008
February 22, 2008: 6 Charged in Immigrant Smuggling Scheme**
February 22, 2008: Groups Protest Guatemalan ID's*
February 22, 2008: Colorado Considers Recruiting Farm Workers From Mexico*
February 22, 2008: Feds To Raise Fines For Hiring Illegals*
February 21, 2008: Iraqis Nabbed In Mexico, Headed To U.S. With Fake I.D.'s***
February 21, 2008: Canal Levels Rise, Pose Greater Risk For Illegal Crossers**
February 21, 2008: Sanctuary Law Tabled Until “Community Has Healed”*
February 21, 2008: Texas Cities Oppose Border Fence**
February 20, 2008: Man Admits Arranging Fraudulent Marriages***
February 20, 2008: Guard Member Sentenced*
February 20, 2008: Courts Unable To Keep Up With Border Arrests**
February 12, 2008: Immigration Projected To Drive America's Population Growth***
JANUARY 2008
January 24, 2008: North Koreans Rally In Hopes Of Asylum**
January 24, 2008: In A New Tactic, Border Patrol Targets Immigrant-Smuggling 800 Miles From Border**
January 24, 2008: Immigration Bill Targets Employers
January 24, 2008: Clinton's Hispanic Edge
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January 23, 2008: Rise Of Chavez Sends Venezualans To Florida**
January 23, 2008: Vietnam Agrees To The Return Of Deportees From The U.S.**
January 23, 2008: Chertoff Expects More Border Violence
January 23, 2008: Mexican Politicians Say Migrants Returning Because Of Arizona Law
January 23, 2008: Surge Cited In Attacks On U.S. Border Agents
January 23, 2008: Bill Would End Tuition Break For Illegal Immigrants
January 23, 2008: Man Indicted In Scheme To Help Finance Smugglers
January 22, 2008: Asylum Program Falls Short For Iraqis Aiding U.S. Forces**
January 21, 2008: U.S. Faces 'Grave Threat' In Drug Fight
January 21, 2008: Illegal Immigrants Being Fired In Face Of Federal Crackdown
January 20, 2008: Mount Rainier Council To Vote On Becoming 'Sanctuary' City
January 20, 2008: Resorts Increasingly Turning To Foreigners For Service Jobs
January 20, 2008: From Green Card To U.S. Passport
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January 18, 2008: New Rules For U.S.-Canada Border To Start Next Month
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January 3, 2008: Brazilians Leave Florida For Home**
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January 3, 2008: Lawmakers: Immigration Is One Of The Top Issues This Year
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January 3, 2008: Sanctions Law Debuts Quietly; Long-Term Impact Uncertain
January 3, 2008: U.S. Dollar Decline Impacts Immigrant Remittances
January 3, 2008: Getting Tougher On Illegals; ICE Program Trains Deputies
January 3, 2008: Mexican Farmers Protest NAFTA
January 3, 2008: Border Agents Assaulted At “Unprecedented” Rate**
January 2, 2008: For Republicans, Contest's Hallmark Is Immigration
January 2, 2008: Eager To Vote, But Stuck In Citizenship Process
January 2, 2008: Many Fresh Direct Workers, Facing Immigration Status Test, Quit Jobs
January 1, 2008: Ron Paul Furious Over Fox Debate Snub
January 1, 2008: Hospital Reflects Census Data
January 1, 2008: Activist Fails To Rally Blacks On Illegal Immigration Issue
