Throughout the night we crossed paths with Border Patrol agents driving trucks and SUVs while spending time near the western edge of the San Diego-Tijuana border. But when we saw a silhouette in the distance that looked like an old cowboy painting we didn’t know who were looking at. Before us were three men sitting high on their horses with the city lights painting the outlines on their cowboy hats.
San Diego Sector Horse Patrol agents stand guard on top of a mesa near ‘Smuggler’s Gulch’ on the U.S./Mexico Border. Photo by James Gregg.
It turns out that the trio were members of the horse patrol for U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector. On this night, they were assigned to patrol an area that included a deep, rugged canyon called “Smugglers Gulch.” The team had been working together for three years and said they track down calls just as any other agent would in truck or SUV. As they sat atop their horses in the haze of the moon and stadium lights that shine on the border, it reminded us that for all the technology and fencing, patrolling any area boils down to manpower.
Stunning photo!
— Kenny Barton 07/21/2006 05:31 AM #
Let’s see, your “investigators” are made up of a least two members who worked in Costa Rica & Ecuador. “James holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas.” and “McCombs, who is bilingual, spent three years working in Costa Rica.” I take it one must really love the people alot to spend that much time in their countries. Living there, learning the language,being immersed in the culture, etc.One could argue that it probably wouldn’t bother someone like that very much at all if some the folks from the countries they lived and worked in over the years decided to move up here with us.Whether they did it illegally or whatever? In other words there must be a certain amount of sympathy there for these people since they are so familiar with them and their culture. I’d say it’s clear that you’ve chosen wisely for at least two members of your team to present an unbiased point of view to document this problem.I mean there are many of us here in Tucson that speak mexican if that was their main qualification….....
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 01:04 PM #
Nice bigoted post, Dezrtwulf.
I wasn’t aware that there was a large illegal migration of Costa Ricans to the US… and since when did appreciating other languages and cultures make someone a bad reporter. In fact, some may argue those skills are essential for quality reporting, you know, the skill of being a human being who actually cares about other human beings. Or did your Mommy not hug you enough as a child?
You sir or ma’am are a disgusting representation of this fine country and the IMMIGRANTS who built it. GO back to your dank, zenophobic basement.
Oh, by the way, “mexican” isn’t a language, dunce.
— Wulf blitzer 07/21/2006 01:40 PM #
You forget to tell me I’m worse than Hitler. You sound like you might have hugged your mama a bit TOO much and continue to do so to this day, if you know what I mean. I think you definitely have a constipation problem. “Disgusting representation?” I hate to pop the self-righteous bubble you live in, but YOU are the one with the minority opinion on this problem. Anyone who freaks out over someone calling the spanish language the mexican language sounds a little too anal to converse with intelligently. Not to mention that our little problem of a over half million wets coming across every year doesn’t only involve mexicans. (“Oh my GAWD! He called those poor people “wets”!You monster!!!!”) I know it seems that way but no, I’m not as disgusting as you would hallucinate that I am. We do actually have a substantial number of wets coming from all the other latin American countries too. Including Costa Rica & Ecuador. I suggest you read a book. And perhaps at the very least lady, get yourself a boyfriend!!!
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 02:38 PM #
P.S. – “Immigrant?” Are you ignorant or just stupid? I suggest you look up the definition of the word “immigrant” since you seem to believe they and “ILLEGAL ALIENS” are one in the same.
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 02:46 PM #
The moron hiding behind the name of “wulf blitzer” obviously has unresolved “mommy issues” and investigation would no doubt reveal that this person is a survivor of severe childhood sexual self-abuse.
— pisson wulf blitzer 07/21/2006 06:25 PM #
I see you’re at Calexico and Mexicali, two interdependent cities whose charming names suggest a more tranquil era in border history. Same goes for the two Nogaleses: they are still referred to as “Ambos Nogales,” which means “both together.”
And despite all the current turmoil, they still are “together.” In fact, they somehow maintain the best of what can happen in border regions worldwide. Their thriving economies are inextricably tied, and mutual respect and friendship are basic to daily life there.
I’d like to learn if such is so in Calexico and Mexicali.
— Kenny Barton 07/22/2006 07:27 AM #
Dertz,
Seriously man… move away. Maybe to somewhere where you won’t have to deal with pesky “wets,” you bigot.
— Donner 07/22/2006 12:06 PM #
It is very sad that folks have to resort to name calling and denigration of another’s qualifications to try to express an idea. Or perhaps, they are unable to rationally express opinions because they are only mired in their own thought processes and thrive on anger and not reason.
— bdgiddens 07/31/2006 07:22 AM #
In July, a team of Arizona Daily Star journalists traveled from San Diego to Brownsville for a close-up look at what it would take to secure the border. They used this blog to chronicle their experiences and will present a 4-day series of their findings beginning Sunday, Sept. 24.
Current Location:The journey is over. Stay tuned for our special report on the border beginning September 24.
Meet the Team
James Gregg recently joined the staff of the Arizona Daily Star as a
photojournalist after beginning his career in Colorado. James has lived abroad in Ecuador and Costa Rica, and holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas.
Stephanie Innes is the faith and values reporter for the Star. She has worked at the newspaper since 1999 and previously covered crime. She has also been a reporter for the Tucson Citizen and for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.
Border and Immigration reporter Brady McCombs has been with the Star since February. He recently co-authored the Star's four-part investigative series, "Illegal Labor Fix Falls Short." McCombs, who is bilingual, spent three years working in Costa Rica.
Photographer Lindsay Miller joined the Arizona Daily Star in April 2005, relocating toTucson after working at the Napa Valley Register. She has worked on several documentary projects as well as a variety of local news and features..
Online producer Andrew Satter has been with the Star for more than two years. He oversees online news content relating to the border and politics/elections, has produced dozens of videos and audio slide shows and is a co-creator of the award-winning Border Death Database.
Reader Polls
Week 3 Results
Question: Which border state has the most out-of-control border?
- California - 9%
- Arizona - 53%
- New Mexico - 10%
- Texas - 7%
- Minnesota - 21%
Total number of votes - 68
Week 2 Results
Question: What is the top reason the U.S. needs to secure its borders?
- Stop illegal immigrants from coming into the country - 48%
- Crack down on drug smuggling - 14%
- Stop terrorists from being able to get in - 28%
- An open border poses no immediate threat - 9%
- Protect against human sex slave trafficking - 1%
Total number of votes - 79
Week 1 Results
Question: What should be the first priority in solving the illegal immigration problem?
- Secure the border - 48%
- Workplace enforcement - 21%
- Visa enforcement - 3%
- Institute a guest worker program - 17%
- Take care of non-border-related issues first - 11%
Total number of votes - 150
Border gallery
What does the word 'border' mean to you? Be it the U.S./Mexico border, the Brazilian/Argentinian border or the border between you and your neighbor's house, we want to see your images of this ill-defined concept in our gallery. In the Photo Caption field please tell us the subject of the photo. Submit your photo »»
James Gregg recently joined the staff of the Arizona Daily Star as a
photojournalist after beginning his career in Colorado. James has lived abroad in Ecuador and Costa Rica, and holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas.
Stephanie Innes is the faith and values reporter for the Star. She has worked at the newspaper since 1999 and previously covered crime. She has also been a reporter for the Tucson Citizen and for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.
Border and Immigration reporter Brady McCombs has been with the Star since February. He recently co-authored the Star's four-part investigative series, "Illegal Labor Fix Falls Short." McCombs, who is bilingual, spent three years working in Costa Rica.
Photographer Lindsay Miller joined the Arizona Daily Star in April 2005, relocating toTucson after working at the Napa Valley Register. She has worked on several documentary projects as well as a variety of local news and features..
Online producer Andrew Satter has been with the Star for more than two years. He oversees online news content relating to the border and politics/elections, has produced dozens of videos and audio slide shows and is a co-creator of the award-winning Border Death Database.
— Kenny Barton 07/21/2006 05:31 AM #
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 01:04 PM #
I wasn’t aware that there was a large illegal migration of Costa Ricans to the US… and since when did appreciating other languages and cultures make someone a bad reporter. In fact, some may argue those skills are essential for quality reporting, you know, the skill of being a human being who actually cares about other human beings. Or did your Mommy not hug you enough as a child?
You sir or ma’am are a disgusting representation of this fine country and the IMMIGRANTS who built it. GO back to your dank, zenophobic basement.
Oh, by the way, “mexican” isn’t a language, dunce.
— Wulf blitzer 07/21/2006 01:40 PM #
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 02:38 PM #
— Dezrtwulf 07/21/2006 02:46 PM #
— pisson wulf blitzer 07/21/2006 06:25 PM #
And despite all the current turmoil, they still are “together.” In fact, they somehow maintain the best of what can happen in border regions worldwide. Their thriving economies are inextricably tied, and mutual respect and friendship are basic to daily life there.
I’d like to learn if such is so in Calexico and Mexicali.
— Kenny Barton 07/22/2006 07:27 AM #
Seriously man… move away. Maybe to somewhere where you won’t have to deal with pesky “wets,” you bigot.
— Donner 07/22/2006 12:06 PM #
— bdgiddens 07/31/2006 07:22 AM #