CHIMACUM — Border Patrol checkpoints do not violate constitutional rights, three agents told about 60 people at a presentation hosted by the GOP of Jefferson County.
“There seems to be some confusion on our authority,” said Border Patrol Supervisory Agent Christopher Dyer, who answered questions along with two other agents based in Port Angeles, Todd McCool and Jason Carroll, at the Chimacum Tri-Area Community Center gathering on Tuesday night.
Dyer cited United States v. Martinez-Fuerte, a Supreme Court case, as backing up the constitutionality of asking people about their citizenship status.
Port Townsend attorney Paul Richmond challenged that view during the question-and-answer period, saying that the case allowed only “extremely limited and minimal intrusions.”
Carroll said that asking about citizenship status was considered a very minimal intrusion.
“We think it’s a reasonable question,” Carroll said.
“Our agents are trained to recognize certain behaviors that are indicative of deception.”
The agents also said that an addition of 125 agents proposed for the Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula, does not necessarily mean more agents on the Peninsula.
“We are not going to get 125 agents here [on the Peninsula],” said Border Patrol Agent Todd McCool.
“That number is how many may be added to the Blaine Sector as a total.”
Many thanked agents
Most of those attending the meeting thanked the Border Patrol for patrolling the Peninsula.
Border Patrol activity stepped up on the Peninsula last year, with roadblocks north of Forks and near the Hood Canal Bridge and with agents boarding Olympic Bus Lines buses.
Carroll explained the process of investigating people at roadblocks.
“There are typically three categories of folks that we encounter at a checkpoint,” he said.
“If you are a U.S. citizen, then you state your citizenship and you are on your way.
“If you are here legally, then you present your documents, as required by law, and we check them.
“The third category are the folks that don’t say anything or non-citizens that are not in possession of valid US immigration documents.
“This will sometimes result in an investigative detention if we suspect a crime.”
Agents attempt to determine the identity of the detained person, and if the person had committed a crime.
“If we arrest you, it will be for a crime,” Carroll said.
Blaine Sector large area
Dyer said that the Blaine Sector, which operates under Chief John Bates, covers Oregon and Western Washington.
“We cover from the northern border here to the southern border in Oregon,” Dyer said.
“That is a lot of area to cover.
“As of now, there is no set number of how many agents we will have out here.
“When the need for more arises, we will address that.”
Carroll said that the agency would strive to implement new strategies to protect the residents of the Peninsula.
‘Transportation facilitator’
“Looking out at that water [between the United States and Canada] some see a geographic boundary but we see a transportation facilitator,” Carroll said.
“If we can interdict illegal activity six miles off our shores, then that’s what we want to do.
“It is safer for all of us to deal with criminals before they reach our communities.”
He also said the agency would continue to go out into communities to answer people’s questions and clear up any confusions as best they could.
On Wednesday, Carroll confirmed that the Border Patrol wants to meet with members of the Jefferson County Democrats. No date has been set.
________
Jefferson County reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
