Heightened border security expected to slow surge of aliens

BY KRISTI BASILE, SPECIAL TO THE SUN

December 30, 2007 - 9:07PM

In the past, the number of illegal aliens passing through Yuma County's stretch of the border always surged during the winter season.

From New Year's on, the reason for this traffic has usually been related to two events happening at this time of year.

First, many families have taken the risk to reunite for the holidays, no matter what the cost, and secondly, many migrants are making their way to find work during the Southern California harvest season, the Border Patrol. said

"Historically, it picks up around wintertime and there is a small spike in apprehensions," said Michael Bernacke, a spokesman for the patrol's Yuma Sector.

But this year, funds invested in beefing up border security are expected to reverse the holiday trend.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol officials expect fewer illegal aliens to attempt crossovers into the Yuma Sector after New Year's, in keeping with a trend of overall fewer apprehensions in the Yuma area.