The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Border Patrol" ...
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Sealing Our Borders: Why It Won't Work
A four-part series examines the feasibility of sealing the 2,000 mile US-Mexican border and potential economic, political, environmental and cultural effects of doing so.
Tags: Immigration; Border Patrol; Immigrants; Mexico; illiegal entrant; smuggle; border security; migration; national park
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Border Insecurity
The series examined the vulnerability of America's borders despite the millions spent to secure them after September 11, 2001. Stories focused on smuggling networks that channel thousands of illegal immigrants from 'special interest countries' (nations identified by the government as fostering terrorism)into the US; on the so-called 'catch and release' policy that frees large numbers of illegal immigrants with a court notice-to-appear that many ignore; and on the continued lack of monitoring on large stretches of the U.S.-Canada border, which has allowed some serious breeches.
Tags: border security; gangs; human trafficking; terrorism; Department of Homeland Security; special interest countries; catch-and-release policy; Border Patrol; FOIA
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Siege on the border: costly fortifications fail to deter immigrant flow
For 12 years, the United States has pumped billions of dollars into fortifying the Southwest border. Annual spending on border enforcement has nearly tripled, the Border Patrol has almost tripled its ranks, and the Southwestern border has become heavily militarized with fences, aircraft, sensors and cameras. It hasn't work. But Congress reamins committed to the same failed strategy.
Tags: border enforcement; Congress; immigrants; immigration; INS; Mexico; illegal aliens; Border Patrol
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Mexico: A Death in the Desert
LoMonaco and Spicuzza follow the story of Matias Garcia, a chili pepper farmer from Oaxaca, Mexico, who died in the Arizona desert after he crossed the border trying to find work. His family survived the journey, and in this story, they talk about their experience and the ordeals faced by thousands of other migrant workers.
Tags: Mexican migrant workers; Arizona desert; border crossing; Mexican Consulate; Border Patrol
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Patriot Games
Hispanics make up more than 38% in the Border Patrol. Valbrun reports that "for the Hispanic agents, the job pits their national identity against their ethnic identity." This story focuses on the reasons the Latinos have to become Border Patrol officers and how they feel about their job.
Tags: Hispanics; Latinos; Border Patrol; police; ethnicity; Mexico; Operation Gatekeeper; immigrants
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Border Camera Breakdown
An investigation by KIRO-TV revealed that "a new high-tech security camera system, protecting the Northern U.S. Border, fails to work on a regular basis. (KIRO-TV) obtained classified documents and used multiple confidential sources to verify something the Border Patrol wanted badly to keep secret. In addition (KIRO-TV) discovered that tax money spent on the border camera system is making its way back to the family of a U.S. Congressman.
Tags: homeland security; September 11; U.S. Borders; Canada; Border Patrol; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT
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Lost In America
CBS News 60 Minutes explores "how the politics of immigration policy made it remarkably easy for members of terror cells to enter the United States on temporary visas as tourists or students and simply disappear into American society." The report reveals that nearly half of the seven million illegal immigrants in the United States entered the country on temporary visas and never left. Although in 1996 the Congress passed a bill that mandated that the INS set up a computerized entry-exit system to track aliens entering and leaving the country, its implementation failed as a result of "business concerns" voiced by border cities' chambers of commerce.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; terrorism; Sept. 11; INS; border patrols; World Trade Center; Pentagon; temporary visas; international students; aliens; Muslims
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Border Games
The National Journal examines the efforts of the federal government to stop illegal immigration from Mexico, which "have produced one of Washington's most challenging policy dilemmas." The story reports that, despite the billions of dollars spent by the government to curb illegal immigration, "the latest Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) estimates stand at 5 million, while other projections put the figure as high as 11 million." The article reveals that illegal immigrants keep on finding cracks in the wall. The author cites experts who look at the possibility for the U.S.A. to implement a "kind of Marshall Plan for Latin America" in order to create new jobs and opportunities, and to increase purchasing of U.S. products. Another suggested approach is to open more channels for legal entry.
Tags: border patrol; smuggling; Hispanic; Federation for American Immigration Reform; National Immigration Forum; Labor Department; wages; employment; economics; El Salvador; Guatemala; Canada; Haiti
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Crossing to the Other Side: Deadly Game
Village Voice, in a three part series, reports on "one Mexican's illegal journey into the United States." Reporter Michael Kamber describes 18 year-old Antonio Gonzalez's trip across border lines and his journey to New York City In addition, the article details the system of "coyotes" who smuggle Mexicans into the United States and how they bypass Border Patrol.
Tags: Immigration; illegal aliens; drug smuggling; Border Patrol; jobs
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The Battle for the Border
A Texas Monthly investigation finds that "illegal immigration is exploding in Maverick County, which will soon become the busiest crossing point from Mexico into the U.S." The story describes how "ranches are being overrun by drug smugglers, houses robbed, cattle stolen," and "men have been shot and killed." The reporter focuses on the ranchers' dilemma - to flee "this modern-day war zone" or to "stay and fight." The story profiles Dob Cunningham, a rancher who has come across "an odd and sometimes tragic assortment of immigrants," and has also witnessed the shooting of a Mexican teenager.
Tags: Hispanic; U.S. Border Patrol; Rio Grande; Spanish; agents; police; drugs; crime