see also: in July 2006 News Releases:   SENTRI Participants Revoked for Agriculture Violations   Monthly Trade Payments to CBP Reach $5 Billion   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offers Tips for Summer Border Travel   CBP Agriculture Specialist Intercepts Voracious Slug   Customs and Border Protection Has Five Drug Seizures In Five Days At The Detroit Border Crossings   Customs and Border Protection South Florida Marina Update ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Contacts

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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have noted a decrease in illegal entry on the southwest border, a trend they credit in part to increased support from the National Guard.

To date, the Guard’s support has allowed 265 agents to return to the frontline along the 2,000-mile border with Mexico. “Operation Jump Start has been tremendous,” Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar said. “It has been very positive for the United States Border Patrol.”

The southwest border has seen a significant decrease in apprehensions since the operation was announced, Aguilar said. Although there is a typical downturn during the heat of the summer, this year’s numbers are below previous years, especially since March.

National Guard Bureau Chief LTG H Steven Blum was confident the Guard would not only meet but surpass the commitment to deploy up to 6,000 Guard citizen soldiers and airmen by Aug. 1, noting the work Guard members are currently doing in support of the Border Patrol. “We’re assisting them with their tactical infrastructure so that they can be more effective,” Blum said. “They have better roads so that they can move laterally along the border much faster and better than they can today; they have fences and lighting and sensors that can detect illegal activity along our border so they can do their law enforcement work in a more focused manner.”

National Guard support through Operation Jump Start has led to the apprehension of 1,863 illegal aliens, the seizure of 13,284 pounds of marijuana, 200 pounds of cocaine and the rescue of 21 aliens in distress. The initial commitment of up to 6,000 Guard members will last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as additional Border Patrol agents and new technologies are brought on line.

Operation Jump Start will deploy up to 6,000 National Guard members to support the law enforcement work of Border Patrol agents. Members of the Guard support border security efforts by participating on entry identification teams, operating cameras, monitoring remote video surveillance systems, repairing vehicles and constructing and maintaining tactical infrastructure.

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 the 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.