Border volunteers tripping sensors used to detect illegal crossers

Border volunteers tripping sensors used to detect illegal crossers

"TOMBSTONE - Citizens who volunteered to patrol the Mexican border for illegal immigrants and smugglers are disrupting Border Patrol operations by tripping sensors that alert agents to possible illegal crossings, an agency spokesman said Monday.

Even though volunteers for the Minuteman Project were only beginning their regular, monthlong patrols Monday, they have unwittingly set off sensors during the past few days, forcing agents to respond to what essentially is a false alarm, said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Jose Maheda.

'Every sensor has to be addressed,' Maheda said. 'It's taken away from our normal operations.' "

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