working on the border in small border town (El Paso, Del Rio: purchasing, law)

[loose cannon]

I am soon to be working at a resort in the West Texas desert. Many have told me the border crossings are not as much of an issue as other parts of the border? Any opinions?

[ChristieP]

So you’re going to work at Lajitas? That’s the only resort on the border anywhere in Texas.

Border crossings in the Big Bend area are very uncommon. The Mexico side on the western part of the national park and towards Redford is a huge cliff which would require rappelling equipment. Even on the eastern side, smugglers don’t want to cross through the national park due to the remoteness of the area, law enforcement presence, and the mountains they would have to cross just to get to a highway. Smugglers tend to go down river to Del Rio or Eagle Pass, or upriver towards El Paso.

All that being said, don’t pick up hitchhikers, and don’t fall for someone trying to flag you down on the road to help them with their “sick” friend or car with the hood up. You might also consider purchasing a firearm to keep in your car just in case you’d need to defend yourself. And no matter what, lock your car and don’t leave anything of value in it.

[ScoPro]

That is very good advice.

[tmtex]

Actually Christie P its not as uncommon as you think. We were their last year and had a talk with I think the only sheriff/Police for the whole area. He was telling us that they do come across but mainly in non summer months for obvious reasons and that they are very good at it. The most successful way is that they have transportation waiting on them. They stay away from the Bosqullas (sp) area as that area in Mexico is protected by Federales. They find them dead all the time in the open ranches that surround the Big Bend area. They die from lack of water, heat, snakes, falling off cliffs, broken legs. He said you would be surprised how hot and cold it can get out in the middle of the ranch areas.

He also mentioned that the border checks in the area (not at border) arent manned these days do to lack of agents. They are monitored by camera

Also yes, they do not come through the Park area

[ChristieP]

Yes, it is very unfortunate that a lot of them are found dead on ranch property. They really do underestimate how remote the territory is out there, and it is very easy to die of exposure if the weather turns bad.

My husband has a good friend who is a Customs officer in DRT, and he was there when the thousands of Haitians were camped out under the bridge, etc. He says is is just unreal how many of them are currently coming across.