Alerting our officers to possible safety threats is critical. The October Bulletin was intended to alert field offices to the potential that hate groups might take advantage of legal gatherings of legitimate organizations to further their cause. Our foremost concern is public safety. We strongly discourage the public from taking the law into their own hands. The INS is doing everything it can to address the concerns of border residents who may be frustrated about the effects of illegal immigration.
Agents routinely attend community meetings to listen to complaints and concerns.
We have increased the number of agents devoted to patrolling the ranches in Cochise County to help stop the flow of illegal immigrants through those outlying areas and we have experienced steady, continuing reductions in crossings in these areas. In the last three years, the number of Border Patrol agents permanently assigned to the Tucson area has grown to nearly 1,500, an increase of more than 70 percent. INS has made a long-term commitment to restoring the rule of law along our entire southern border. Right now, Arizona is at the forefront of this effort. By working together, we can make Arizona and all our border communities safer.