Latest news with #CBP
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Miami Herald
CBP agents discover 3,000-foot underground tunnel
June 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have discovered and closed a tunnel carved into the ground between San Diego and Tijuana that stretched more than 1,000 feet into the United States, the agency announced Thursday. The agency said the tunnel, located near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, had an exit point near a commercial warehouse. The tunnel entrance was discovered in a residential area in the Mexican border town of Tijuana, and had been concealed with freshly laid tile, CBP said. "The investigation revealed the tunnel was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems and a track system designed for transporting large quantities of contraband," a CBP release said. The tunnel stretched nearly 3,000 feet, spanning the United States and Mexico border and measured nearly 4 feet high and more than 2 feet wide. It is the latest in a long series of tunnel discoveries in the Southwest. Drug and human smugglers have used clandestine, underground tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border for decades and routinely use them to move drugs and people into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has discovered more than 95 tunnels in the San Diego area alone since 1993. They are also routinely discovered in other border states, including Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. "Contractors will pour thousands of gallons of concrete into the tunnel, preventing the tunnel from use by Foreign Terrorist Organizations," the release continued. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
7 hours ago
- UPI
CBP agents discover 3,000-foot underground tunnel
June 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have discovered and closed a tunnel carved into the ground between San Diego and Tijuana that stretched more than 1,000 feet into the United States, the agency announced Thursday. The agency said the tunnel, located near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, had an exit point near a commercial warehouse. The tunnel entrance was discovered in a residential area in the Mexican border town of Tijuana, and had been concealed with freshly laid tile, CBP said. "The investigation revealed the tunnel was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems and a track system designed for transporting large quantities of contraband," a CBP release said. The tunnel stretched nearly 3,000 feet, spanning the United States and Mexico border and measured nearly 4 feet high and more than 2 feet wide. It is the latest in a long series of tunnel discoveries in the Southwest. Drug and human smugglers have used clandestine, underground tunnels along the U.S.-Mexico border for decades and routinely use them to move drugs and people into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has discovered more than 95 tunnels in the San Diego area alone since 1993. They are also routinely discovered in other border states, including Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. "Contractors will pour thousands of gallons of concrete into the tunnel, preventing the tunnel from use by Foreign Terrorist Organizations," the release continued.
RTHK
8 hours ago
- Politics
- RTHK
LA Dodgers 'barred immigration agents from stadium'
LA Dodgers 'barred immigration agents from stadium' Protesters gather outside gate A at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters The Los Angeles Dodgers said the club barred federal immigration agents from the team's stadium parking lot as a fresh wave of raids continued across America's second-biggest city. The Dodgers, who have been criticized for their failure to comment publicly on the US government's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, said on Thursday the team denied access to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who "requested permission to access the parking lots." "They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization," the statement said, adding that the team's game later on Thursday would go ahead as scheduled. Images and video shared on social media showed a line of unmarked trucks and masked agents at one Dodger Stadium entrance while protesters nearby chanted "ICE out of LA". The Department of Homeland Security later clarified that the agents at the venue were from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not ICE. "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement," a DHS statement said. The incident comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Los Angeles, which has become ground zero of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown across the United States. The city has seen scattered violence but mostly peaceful protests in recent weeks, ignited by an escalation in federal immigration sweeps that have targeted migrant workers in garment factories, car washes and other workplaces. Local media reported further raids across the city on Thursday targeting Home Depot stores, a home improvement retailer where day laborers often gather in parking lots seeking work. The incident at Dodger Stadium on Thursday comes as the reigning World Series champions have faced criticism for their response to the immigration crackdown. The team has a heavily Latino fan base, with some claiming a sense of betrayal over the franchise's failure to speak out against the ongoing raids. As of early Thursday, the Dodgers have made no formal statement in regard to the immigration raids across the city. The team's failure to condemn the immigration offensive came under scrutiny last weekend, when Latin American pop singer Nezza defied Dodgers officials and sang the US national anthem in Spanish before the team's home game. Los Angeles Times sports columnist Dylan Hernandez has slammed the team's response to the immigration crackdown. "The Dodgers boast that more than 40 percent of their fan base is Latino, but they can't even be bothered to offer the shaken community any words of comfort," Hernandez wrote. "How ungrateful. How disrespectful. How cowardly." While the Dodgers have remained silent, the team's popular outfielder Enrique Hernandez lashed out against the raids in a statement on Instagram. "I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city," wrote Hernandez, who is from Puerto Rico. "This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights." (AFP)
Japan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Dodgers say team kept U.S. immigration agents from accessing Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers said Thursday that the club barred federal immigration agents from the Dodger Stadium parking lot as a fresh wave of raids continued across the United States' second-biggest city. The Dodgers, who have been criticized for their failure to publicly comment on the U.S. government's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, said in a statement that the team denied access to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who "requested permission to access the parking lots." "They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization," the statement said, adding that the team's game later Thursday would go ahead as scheduled. Images and video shared on social media showed a line of unmarked trucks and masked agents at one Dodger Stadium entrance while protesters nearby chanted "ICE out of LA." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later said the agents at the venue were from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not ICE. "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers," DHS said in a statement. "CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement." The incident comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Los Angeles, which has become ground zero of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown across the United States. The city has seen scattered violence but mostly peaceful protests in recent weeks, ignited by an escalation in federal immigration sweeps that have targeted migrant workers in garment factories, car washes and other workplaces. Local media on Thursday reported further raids across the city targeting Home Depot (a home improvement retailer) locations, where day laborers often gather in parking lots seeking work. In addition to the mobilization of ICE agents, Trump has ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to the city in response to the protests — a move opposed by city leaders and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is a Democrat. The incident at Dodger Stadium on Thursday comes as the reigning World Series champions have faced criticism for their response to the immigration crackdown. The team has a heavily Latino fan base, with some claiming a sense of betrayal over the franchise's failure to speak out against the ongoing raids. As of early Thursday, the Dodgers have made no formal statement in regard to the immigration raids across the city. The team's failure to condemn the immigration offensive came under scrutiny last weekend, when Latin American pop singer Nezza defied Dodgers officials and sang the U.S. national anthem in Spanish before a home game. Speaking outside Dodger Stadium on Thursday after federal agents left the venue, one 27-year-old fan among a small group of protesters said she felt let down by the team. "They've been very quiet since these ICE raids started, and I think it's very hypocritical of them not to say anything when the majority of their fan base is the Latino population here in Los Angeles," said Paola, who asked only to be identified by her first name. "It 100% feels like betrayal. I was born and raised here, I've supported them my whole life — for them not to come out and support us during these times is messed up." Los Angeles Times sports columnist Dylan Hernandez has slammed the team's response to the immigration crackdown. "The Dodgers boast that more than 40 percent of their fan base is Latino, but they can't even be bothered to offer the shaken community any words of comfort," Hernandez wrote. "How ungrateful. How disrespectful. How cowardly." While the Dodgers have remained silent, the team's popular outfielder Enrique Hernandez lashed out against the raids in a statement on Instagram. "I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city," wrote Hernandez, who is from Puerto Rico. "This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights."
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Is TSA checking immigration status?
Dozens of videos are making the rounds on TikTok, sparking concern that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now checking passengers' immigration status at security checkpoints. As a former Transportation Security Officer (TSO) who has made it my duty to share accurate information with the traveling public through my travel newsletter, Gate Access, I want to set the record straight: TSA does not verify immigration status as part of its security screening responsibilities. The TSA was created in response to the 9/11 attacks, with a single, critical mission: to ensure the safety of the traveling public by detecting and deterring threats to aviation. TSA officers are trained to verify that a passenger's identification matches their boarding pass and that they pass through appropriate screening for prohibited items. That's it. The idea that TSA officers are suddenly acting as immigration enforcement officers is both inaccurate and misleading. It also fosters unnecessary fear and confusion, particularly among immigrant communities. It's not uncommon for travelers and some media outlets to confuse the roles of TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Both agencies operate at airports, but they serve very different functions. CBP handles immigration enforcement and customs, typically at international arrivals. TSA, by contrast, is focused solely on aviation security screening. Secure Flight, TSA's passenger vetting program, compares your booking information against federal watchlists; it doesn't check your immigration status. Officers are tasked with ensuring your ID is valid and that you match your reservation, nothing more. Of course, but they're extremely limited. The only time immigration status might become relevant is if a person presents a fraudulent passport or lacks valid identification and self-identifies as a foreign national. In such cases, TSA doesn't make determinations about immigration status; rather, the situation may be referred to other law enforcement agencies who are properly trained and authorized to handle such matters. While immigration checks are not part of TSA's job, officers do have an obligation to report illegal activity if it's encountered during screening. That could include illicit drugs, weapons or false documents. When something appears unlawful or unsafe, TSA may contact airport police or federal partners. But that's a far cry from acting as immigration officers. If a TSA officer encounters something concerning, such as a suspicious package or a counterfeit ID, they may escalate the issue to airport law enforcement or the appropriate federal authorities. That includes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if the situation warrants it. TSA doesn't take immigration enforcement into its own hands, nor is it equipped to do so. Behind the scenes, there has been a notable shift in how federal resources are being used to support immigration enforcement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, including members of the Border Patrol, have increasingly been detailed to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with interior enforcement operations. A CBS News report confirmed that around 500 CBP personnel have been deployed to aid ICE in conducting arrests and deportations across the United States. This collaboration involves specialized CBP units, including the Office of Field Operations and Air & Marine Operations, which have been tasked with reinforcing joint efforts across jurisdictions. Additionally, within the broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal employees, including TSA Federal Air Marshals, have been temporarily assigned to ICE for tasks like escorting detainees on removal flights. These deployments underscore a broader strategy by DHS to repurpose personnel and assets in support of interior immigration initiatives. While TSA's core responsibility remains aviation security, some of its specialized agents have been detailed to assist ICE under specific operational needs, reflecting the interconnected nature of DHS components while reaffirming that TSA's checkpoint duties do not include immigration enforcement. The bottom line? TSA is not checking your immigration status. That role belongs to other agencies. While TSA agents may call in legal personnel when they encounter something beyond their authority, this is standard protocol for any suspected criminal activity, not a targeted immigration crackdown.
