Latest news with #U.S.CustomsandBorderProtection
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
How an electronic visa waiver can help Miami travelers — but there's a warning
Traveling to Miami and across the United States with an electronic permit is a simple process for those eligible under the Visa Waiver Program. But the U.S. Customs and Border Protection warns of strict rules and 'limitations,' now under increased scrutiny due to new immigration and security policies by Trump administration. 'Foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S must use legal pathways,' said Carlos C. Martel, director of Customs and Border Patrol field operations in Miami and Tampa. Criteria to consider The Customs official reminded travelers that there are two primary legal avenues for tourists seeking to enter the United States: the B-1/B-2 visitor visa and the Visa Waiver Program. 'Each has strict eligibility criteria and limitations,' Martel warned. His post includes an announcement addressed to citizens of the 42 participating countries of the Visa Waiver Program. Both the B-1/B-2 visas and the Visa Waiver Program allow travelers to enter the U.S. for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. In the case of the VWP, beneficiaries must apply online for what is known as the ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, before entering U.S. territory. Those who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa, according to Customs and Border Patrol. Increased monitoring of travelers The Customs announcement follows strong statements from the Trump administration about tightening the monitoring of foreign travelers entering and staying in the U.S. In particular, the U.S. government announced measures against those who remain in U.S. territory after their visas expire, following the terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, for which Egyptian Mohamed Sabry Soliman was accused. This week, Customs also launched the new CBP Link mobile app, described as a 'user-friendly tool' aimed at reducing data requirements and streamlining the entry process. The app includes features for travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program to complete certain airport procedures. Meanwhile, Customs limited the use of its CBP Home platform, which allows migrants to initiate self-deportation.
Miami Herald
a day 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
a day 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.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Hundreds of Anti-ICE Protesters Storm Facility
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said that 250 anti-ICE activists stormed an ICE field office in Portland after protesters squared off against federal agents. "Last night, Portland rioters violently targeted federal law enforcement—250 rioters launched fireworks, shined lasers in officers' eyes to temporarily blind them, and stormed an ICE field office," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detain a man outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs building during a protest Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Portland, Ore. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detain a man outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs building during a protest Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Portland, Ore. Jenny Kane/AP Photo Why It Matters Protesters have maintained a steady presence outside the ICE facility since last week. More than 20 arrests have been made, local media reports. There has been growing opposition to President Donald Trump's mass deportation policies. What To Know DHS said that five people were arrested on multiple charges, including assault on a federal law officer. "We won't sit idly by and watch these cowards," McLaughlin said. According to KOIN, some individuals were seen setting off fireworks and pushing what appeared to be a dumpster toward the facility, prompting federal agents to respond with flashbang devices. This happened yesterday in Portland. Violent mob of 250 rioters attacked federal law enforcement—launching fireworks, aiming lasers into officers' eyes to blind them, and storming an ICE field office. This wasn't a protest. It was an orchestrated assault on federal agents—and… — I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) June 19, 2025 Footage shared on social media showed armed agents at the scene, while police officers in gas masks escorted people away as canisters lay scattered on the ground. Eduardo Diaz, 22, was taken into custody around 11:14 p.m. after officers identified him as the individual suspected of pointing a laser at federal officers earlier in the evening, according to a Portland Police Bureau press release. At the time of his arrest, Diaz was wearing a ballistic vest and a gas mask. He was cited for Unlawful Directing of Light from a Laser Pointer, a misdemeanor under Oregon law, and was held on a U.S. Marshals Service detainer. At approximately 12:30 a.m., a second individual was arrested for allegedly trespassing in a restricted area on the east side of the ICE facility, police said. Mariana M. Rivera-Loza, 19, of Portland, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on a charge of Second-Degree Criminal Trespass. Police noted that a shield was found in her possession at the time of the arrest. One arrest was made for trespassing and the other for pointing a laser at federal officers, according to the Portland Police Bureau. What People Are Saying McLaughlin told Newsweek: Our officers are facing a 413 percent increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem's message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Border Patrol agents shut down massive drug smuggling tunnel between Tijuana and San Diego
U.S. Border Patrol agents recently discovered and disabled a nearly 3,000-foot-long narcotics smuggling tunnel sitting beneath the US-Mexico border. Agents found the tunnel — which linked Tijuana and San Diego — in early April while it was actively under construction. The underground passageway ran under part of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and had a projected exit point near or inside a commercial warehouse space in San Diego, according to an announcement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Upon entering the "highly sophisticated" tunnel, authorities were met with barricades seemingly placed to prevent law enforcement from finding its entrance, the announcement noted. San Diego Authorities Arrest 3 Noncitizens Allegedly Involved In Transporting More Than $5M Worth Of Meth The tunnel — which reached depths of around 50 feet underground at its deepest point — measured 2,918 feet long, 42 inches tall and 28 inches wide. It was equipped with lighting, electrical wiring, ventilation systems and a track system for transporting large amounts of contraband. Read On The Fox News App Dot Sec Sean Duffy Finalizes $150M Grant To Build New Port Of Entry On Southern Border Border Patrol agents — working alongside Homeland Security Investigations and Government of Mexico authorities — found the entrance point to the tunnel on Monday inside a house in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood in Tijuana. The entrance had recently been covered up with freshly laid tile, according to the announcement. Trump Admin's Dot Announces Deal For High-tech Border Checkpoint In Crucial California Sector Thousands of gallons of concrete will soon be poured into the tunnel to prevent it from being used by Foreign Terrorist Organizations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection noted. "As we continue to strengthen the nation's air and maritime border security, it's not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes," Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, acting chief patrol agent of the San Diego Sector, said in a statement. "Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives." More than 95 tunnels have been decommissioned in the San Diego area since 1993. U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: Border Patrol agents shut down massive drug smuggling tunnel between Tijuana and San Diego
