U.S. Border Patrol's blockade of the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, dubbed Operation Hold the Line, is being extended 10 miles west along the border into southern New Mexico, it was announced in mid January. The extension of the blockade is an effort to stop illegal immigrants and smugglers from circumventing the 20 mile blockade of agents along the El Paso, Texas - Ciudad Juarez border.
The original Hold the Line blockade, begun in 1994, is credited with reducing crime, and achieving a marked reduction in illegal immigration in the El Paso area. Under the sometimes controversial blockade, agents are stationed every quarter mile using line of sight with each other to maintain a constant vigil against illegal entrants into the United States.
The extension of the blockade into New Mexico is expected to be funded with some of the $450 million earmarked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service under U.S. President Bill Clinton's immigration plan. The El Paso Border Patrol office is expecting an assignment of 107 new agents to their area, which covers 109 miles of border in Texas and 189 miles of border in New Mexico.
Source: El Paso Times