SAN DIEGO, - The head of the Department of Homeland Security visited with California National Guard members of Joint Task Force Sierra, who are working on the southwest border with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), here today.
At a site overlooking the U.S.-Mexico border, Sec. Janet Napolitano made the stop during a whirlwind tour to several border states, ensuring she not only spoke to the troops who man entry identification team (EIT) sites, but also spoke to California Guard leaders to gain a broad picture of what the joint mission entails.
With more than two months now under their belt working in support of the CBP, troops of the California Guard have already successfully assisted in the apprehension of nearly 800 criminal aliens, including more than 30 spotted by EIT members off coastal sites.
Napolitano told the Associated Press that a 17 percent drop in Border Patrol arrests this year shows heightened enforcement is slowing illegal immigration.
The Border Patrol made about 463,000 arrests during the federal government's fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, down from 556,032 the previous 12 months -- marking the fifth straight year of declines, she said.
Sgt. 1st Class Rich Ittner, a platoon sergeant on the mission, answered Napolitano’s questions about gear, staffing and current operation statistics.
“She was interested in the equipment we use and how effective the thermal and infrared is during different types of weather,” he said. “Just having her here really validates all the hard work we’re doing and she went as far as to say that the President understands all the work that goes into this mission and appreciates what we’re doing.”
Another EIT staff sergeant whose name is being held due to security measures, agreed, adding that “she’s really looking out for our interests while we’re protecting our nation’s borders.”
During the San Diego tour, Napolitano invited Col. William “Rudy” Arruda, commander of JTF Sierra, to the Maritime Unified Command to speak with U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Charles Michel, the military advisor to the secretary and other key leaders.
“We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to speak with Secretary Napolitano face-to-face and show her first-hand the great impact we are having in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Arruda said. “This is a significant operation and our troops have once again proven that they are ready to defend and are proud to serve in this mission of Homeland Security.”
Justin De La Torre, a special operations supervisor, said the DHS visit highlights the unprecedented level of operational control gained in the San Diego sector.
“The increased personnel provided by the California National Guard has aided in 740 detections that resulted in apprehensions by Border Patrol agents,” he said. “The maritime smuggling attempts detected by the California National Guardsmen may have gone undetected without their support.”