see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Blaine, Wash. - US Customs and Border Protection officers in Blaine, Wash., intercepted a Mexican national yesterday, as he was riding aboard a railroad car after his illegal entry into the United States from Canada.

The 25-year-old man was attempting to travel to California to visit friends when the train passed through a CBP x-ray imaging station where an officer spotted his outline aboard a rail car containing oats. He was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Northwest Detention Center, Tacoma, Wash., pending his return to Mexico.

During his initial interview it was determined that he had been previously caught attempting to enter the United States on October 29 while walking south along the railroad tracks adjacent to the Peace Arch port of entry. After the first apprehension he was returned to Canada due to the fact that he had in his possession Canadian refugee claim and work permit documents.

“The vigilance that our CBP officers exhibit in fulfilling our anti-terrorism mission at the border is unending,” said Service Port Director Margaret Fearon. “It isn’t often we discover illegal aliens hiding on rail cars but when we do there is a sense that we may have prevented a tragic accident as rail hopping is a dangerous undertaking."

The rail car of oats was bound for Oregon however the entrant’s self-declared ultimate destination was New York.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.