>> THIS IS THE AREA THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE CONTROVERSY RIGHT NOW. THE UNITED STATES BORDER WITH MEXICO. NEW MEXICO IS AT GROUND ZERO OF THE NATION IS DIVIDED OVER WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE WITH BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION. THE UNITED STATES BORDER WITH >> MEXICO STRETCHES CLOSE TO 2,000 MILES-- ALMOST 200 OF IT RIGHT HERE IN OUR STATE. THERE ARE 62 PLACES TO LEGALLY CROSS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES BY LAND, INCLUDING ONE RIGHT DOWN THERE, AT SANTA TERESA. >> TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING DEEPER THAN WE'VE EVER GONE, TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOT ONLY HERE, BUT ALL ALONG THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE A TEAM OF REPORTERS, >> PHOTOJOURNALISTS, AND PRODUCERS EXPLORING THE DIFFERENCES BORDER STATES. WE'RE ALSO LISTENING TO YOUR DIFFERENT OPINIONS AND FINDING COMMON GROUND AND PLACES WHERE WE CAN COME TOGETHER IN THIS DEBATE. >> THAT'S ALL TONIGHT IN THIS PROJECT COMMUNITY SPECIAL. BEN, MIGRATION BETWEEN NEXT KEEN THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN HAPPENS BEFORE THE TWO COUNTRIES WERE COUNTRIES. THE FIRST DOCUMENT BIG WAVED HAPPENED IN THE 1930'S. >> FOR YEARS IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN DEBATED BUT NOT LIKE THIS. MANY PEOPLE POINT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN 2016 FOR HEATING THIS ISSUE TO THE BOILING POINT. THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS AREA WILL TELL YOU, IT'S NOT JUST THE >>POLITICAL RHETORIC THAT'S CHANGED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. RANCHERS AND FARMERS SAY THEY SEE A CHANGE IN THE TYPE OF PEOPLE MIGRATING AND IN THE WAY THEY ARE COMING TO THE UNITED STATES. AND AS ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER MARISSA ARMS REPORTS, THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THEM HAVE CHANGED TOO. MARISSA: A FOIL BLANKET, SOME SNACKS, AND A JEWS BOX IS USUALLY WHAT MIGRANTS GET WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT A U.S. CUSTOM AND BORDER PROTECTION FACILITY. >> I'M COMING FROM HONDURAS AND CAME BECAUSE IN MY COUNTRY THERE AREN'T OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT. IT'S DANGEROUS. MARISSA: THIS 30-YEAR-OL CAME TO THE UNITED STATES WITH HER DAUGHTER TO SEEK ASYLUM. EVERY DAY THEY LIVE IN FEAR. >> I CAN'T DESCRIBE THE FEELINGS. IT WAS A DREAM TO GET TO THE UNITED STATES. IT'S THE DREAM OF MANY. MIGRANTS TO LIVE WITHOUT VIOLENCE, POVERTY, AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS. >> WHEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS IN YOUR COUNTRY YOU CAN'T RETURN. MARISSA: AT LEAST 65% OF THE PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER ARE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN FROM THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE, SUCH AS GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, AND HONDURAS. WHEN THEY ARRIVE MOST PRESENT THEMSELVES TO BORDER PATROL AGENTS. >> I WANT MY TAUGHTTORY HAVE A BETTER EDUCATION, BETTER LIFE FOR HER. AND I HOPE THIS YEAR GOES BETTER FOR US. MARISSA: MIGRANTS HERE ACHIEVING THAT DREAM MIGHT GET HARDER. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN HONDURAS ABOUT COMING TO THE UNITED STATES? >> WE HAVE HEARD THAT TRUMP WANTS TO PUT UP THE BORDER WALL. THAT'S WHY MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING BEFORE. MARISSA: CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION HAS SEEN A MORE THAN 370% INCREASE IN FAMILY APPREHENSIONS AT THE BORDER THIS FISCAL YEAR. THE NUMBER OF APPREHENSIONS A ENCOUNTERS THEY ARE SEEING ARE HIGHER THAN THEY HAVE SEEN IN OVER A DECADE. DURING THIS TIME LAST YEAR, AGENTS APPREHENDED NEARLY 174,000 PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTHWEST BORDER. BUT THIS FISCAL YEAR, THAT NUMBER MORE THAN DOUBLED. HITTING 361,000. AND THAT ONLY INCLUDES DATA FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH. >> UNLIKE HISTORICAL CROSSINGS COMPRISED OF A LARGE MAJORITY OF SINGLE ADULT MALES FRO MEXICO WHO COULD BE REPATRIATED QUICKLY, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN FROM CENTRAL AMERICA REQUIRE INCREASED CARE AND PROCESSING AND RELEASED INTO THEUNITED STATES PENDING ADJUDICATION OF THEIR IMGLACIAL CLAIMS. MARISSA: CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ARE ALSO SEEING MORE UNACCOMPANIED MINORS. >> THIS IS A DIRECT RESPONSE FROM SMUGGLERS AND MIGRANTS TO THE VULNERABILITIES IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM. MARISSA: MOST OF THE PEOPLE CROSSING AT THE BORDER ARE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICIALS SAY 35% OF THOSE CAUGHT AT THE BORDER ARE SINGLE ADULTS TRYING TO AVOID AGENTS. >> WITHIN THAT FLOW ARE THOUSANDS OF CRIMINALS, SMUGGLERS, GANG MEMBERS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS THAT WE'RE SWORN TO PROTECT THIS COUNTRY FROM. MARISSA: PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS THAT RANCHERS AND FARMERS LIVING NEW MEXICO'S BOOT HEEL SAY THEY SEE EVERY DAY. >> YOU CAN CALL IT A CRISIS, SAY THERE IS NOT A CRISIS, BUT THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE THAT'S HAPPENING. WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE. MARISSA: PEOPLE LIVING HERE SAY WHAT THEY SEE IN THEIR WHACK YARDS HAS CHANGED. NOW IT'S AGGRESSIVE AND DEMANDING. > WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD ILLEGALS COMING THROUGH THIS VALLEY, ALWAYS HAD. USED TO, HEY, CAN I HAVE FOOD? NOW IT'S LIKE YOU WILL GIVE ME A RIDE IN YOUR TRUCK TO LOURDESBURG OR GIVE ME YOUR CELL PHONE. I WANT IT. MARISSA: THIS FAMILY HAS OWNED LAND NEAR THE BORDER FOR DECADES. >> THEY WERE GENTLE,KIND NATURED, HARDWORKING. SHOOT, THEY WOULD COME UP AND YOU COULD TELL THEY WERE HUNGRY OR THIRSTY, AND INVITE THEM IN THE HOUSE AND FEED THEM. MARISSA: NOW IMMIGRANTS TRESPASS ON HER PROPERTY. >> WE HAVE HAD TRACTORS STOLEN. MY GRANDPARENTS ENDED UP FINDING IT. WE FOUND BEDING IN OUR H -- HAY BARN. THEY ARE COMING IN, HIDING OUT IN OUR BARNS. MARISSA: RANCHERS LIKE CAMMY AND CHRIS AREN'T ANTI-IMMIGRANT, THEY SAY THEY WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO THE U.S. LEGALLY. THEY ALSO WANT PETTER BORDER SECURITY. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE GROUPS COMING, BORDER RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED THIN A WE'RE REDIRECTING 750 OFFICERS FROM KEY ROLES OF PORT OF ENTRY, WE NEED THEM TO HELP BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO CARE FOR MIGRANT HAS CHANGED AND NEED FOR SECURITY AT OUR BORDER INCREASE, MANY BELIEVE WE HAVE REACHED OUR BREAKING POINT AT THE BORDER. REPORTING FROM THE MORDER, MARISSA ARMAS, KOTA ACTION 7 NEWS >> LORGE GROUPS STARTED SHOWING UP IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR AN IT'S CONTINUING NOW. >> THE MIGRANTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP NEAR PORTS OF ENTRY. MANY ARE SHOWING UP IN RUGGED AREAS LIKE THIS CREATING CHALLENGES FOR COUNTIES ALONG THE BORDER. >> WE SPENT THE NIGHT AT BORDER STATION NEAR ANTI-LOPE, AND WE WERE THERE WHEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARRIVED IN FREEZING WEATHER CARRYING A BLANKET. >> NOW YOU ARE DEALING WITH FAMILIES. ARE YOU DEALING WITH KIDS. DEALING WITH NON-MEXICO NATIONALS. >> MIGRANTS WHO TRY TO IMMIGRATE IN RURAL AREAS ARE TAKEN ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY TO LORDSBURG AND AFTER THAT IT CAN TO AN IMMIGRATION FACILITY. OVERWHELMED SHE WROTE A LETTER THAT LETTER IN ITSELF BECAME PRETTY DIVISIVE. HEEL OF THE STATE, AND T COUNTY MANAGER THERE SAID THEY DEPUTIES AND PARAMEDICS TO MANAGE ALL OF THE EMERGENCY CALLS THEY WERE GETTING FROM LAND OWNERS WORRIED ABOUT MIGRANTS ON THEIR PROPERTY. SHE SAID THERE WERE AREAS WHERE THERE WERE UNSANITARY CONDITIONS BECAUSE PORT-A-POTTIES HAD BEEN SET UP FOR ALL OF THE MIGRANTS, AND THEY WEREN'T BEING CLEANED. SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET MEMBERS DID VISIT THE AREA, BUT IT WAS WEEKS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR HELP AND SENT STATE POLICE OFFICERS TO HELP PATROL THE AREA. >> WHY DID THE RESPONSE TAKE S LONG? GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM: IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG. PEOPLE WERE ON THE ROUND. >> THERE NEEDS TO BE RESOLUTION TO A WALL ISSUE, THE BORDER ISSUE, THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE THERE HAS TO BE A SOLUTION AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THIS. >> THE GOVERNOR AND COUNTY MANAGER WANT THE BORDER TO BE SAFER FOR NEW MEXICANS. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM WANTS CHANGES ON THE BORDER IN BOO HEEL, NEW MEXICO. THEY ARE ALL CHANGES THE COUNTY MANAGER THINKS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO MAKING HER COUNTY SAFER. >> WHAT IS CLEAR FROM SPENDING TIME IN THESE COMMUNITIES IS THE PEOPLE HERE ARE DIVIDED. YOU HEAR A COME THEM FROM FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES, THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS BROKEN. >> TONIGHT AS WE TRY TO BRING THE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE AND GOODS CAN LEGALLY COME INTO THE UNITED STATES. ARE IN ALBUQUERQUE WITH THAT PART OF THIS COMPLEX BORDER. ROYALE: I SPENT A DAY AT THE BUSIEST PORT OF ENTRY IN THE STATE TO SEE WHAT IS MAKING ITS WAY INTO OUR COUNTRY. TODD: A LOT OF THE THINGS GROWN IN MEXICO END UP ON OUR BLATES HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. NEXT, WE CHECK OUT THE STEPS PRODUCE GOES THROUGH TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE FOR YOU AND NOTHING ILLEGAL IS MAKE IG ITS WAY THROUGH THE BORDE >> PROJECT COMMUNITY IS A YEAR-LONG COMMITMENT FROM ACTION 7 NEWS TO EXPLORE THE DIVIDED OPINIONS ONBOARDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION. WE'RE SEARCHING FOR AREAS WHERE THERE IS COMMON GROUND IN THIS DEBATE. >> ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING EXAMPLES OF THAT IS IN U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. ACCORDING TO THAT AGENCY, MORE THAN HALF OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS ARE LATINO. MANY TIMES THEY'RE ENFORCING UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION LAWS ON PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM THE SAME COUNTRY WHERE THEY OR THEIR PARENTS WERE BORN. BORDER PATROL AGENTS WE SPOKE WITH SAY FOR THEM THIS IS A CAREER AND THEIR ETHNICITY SHOULDN'T PLAY A PART IN I >> I AM JUST LIKE YOU SAID LATINO HISPANIC DECENT. BOTH ARE NATURALIZED U.S. SIBLINGS. MY OLDEST SIBLING WENT TO SCHOOL IN MEXICO. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTCY. I DIDN'T TAKE THIS JOB BECAUSE OF A RACE. BECAUSE OF MY CULTURE. I TOOK THIS JOB BECAUSE I HAVE AND PROTECTING COUNTRY. >> WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT THOSE BORDER PATROL AGENTS ARE DOING EACH DAY. OUR JOURNALISTS HAD UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS. >> THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO TRADE BILLIONS IN PRODUCTS EACH YEAR. I SPENT THE DAY AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS OF ENTRY IN NEW MEXICO WATCHING HOW THAT TRADE HAPPENS. ROYALE: IT'S A GUSSY DAY INSIDE GARCIA'S AS THE TEAM GREETS CUSTOMER SIGNATURE HOMEMADE NEW MEXICAN DISHES. AND IN THE BACK IN THESE BOXES - PLENTY OF AVOCADOES -- THAT WILL BE TURNED INTO GUACAMOLE AND GARNISH. BUT THE JOURNEY TO GET THIS FRUIT HERE BEGAN DAYS EARLIE AND HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY AT THE SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY. AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING WE OPEN THAT GATE. >> LOCATED 42 MILES SOUTH OF LAS CRUCES AND 20 MINUTES FROM ROYALE: DOWNTOWN EL PASO WITH LITTLE CONGESTION AND SHORT LINES, SANTA TERESA IS THE PREFERRE DRIVING ROUTE TO CIUDAD JUAREZ AND FOR TRAVELERS HEADING NORTH -- THIS PORT PROVIDES CONVENIENT AND FASTER ACCESS TO NEW MEXICO. BUT IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO MOVE THROUGH HERE -- PLENTY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS GO THROU SANTA TERESA, TOO. >> WE HAVE THE ONIONS, WE HAVE THE COTTON, TOMATILLO, THE CHILE SEASON IS PRETTY BUSY. ALSO - AVOCADOES AND TOMATOE TO NAME A FEW MORE. ROYALE:A LOT OF FOOD COMES THROUGH HERE, UP TO 30 SEMIS OF EACH PRODUCT A DAY, DEPENDING ON WHICH SEASON IT IS A USDA INSPECTOR LOOKS OVER EACH LOAD MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS CERTIFIED TO BE IN THE U.S. THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THESE SEMIS ARE GOING TO BE INSPECTED AND OFFICERS CAN DO THAT A FEW WAYS, THEY CAN USE K-9S OR THESE SEMIS COULD GET X-RAYE WHO WORK HERE WANT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING ILLEGAL GETS THROUGH BECAUSE IF IT DOES IT COULD HAVE A LARGE AND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM. WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE PROTECTING OUR AGRICULTURAL ASSET AND WE ARE VERY MUCH AN AGRICULTURAL NATION, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY, AND WE DON'T WANT TO CROSS CONTAMINATE. ROYALE: SO MUCH FOOD MOVES THROUGH THIS PLACE. THIS SIDE OF THIS PORT IS FOR COMMERCIAL RIGS ONLY. >> THE WAY TO GET HERE IS A LOT FASTER SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC. AND WHEN IT'S HARVEST SEASON IN MEXICO -- ROYALE: >> IT IS A BUSY SEASON FOR THE AGRICULTURAL INSPECTORS, YES AND YES WE DO ASSIST IN THAT PART OF THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE INFESTATION OF BUGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. ROYALE: MOST OF THE SEMIS THAT MOVE THROUGH THIS PORT OF ENTRY GO FROM GATE-TO-GATE AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY'RE PREVETTED. THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE OFFICERS WHO WORK HERE EVERY DAY. IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU SEE AT THE AIRPORT, WITH T.S.A. PRECHECK. AND THE QUICKER THOSE TRUCKS GET THROUGH -- WE HAVE AVOCADOES FROM >> A MEXICO. ROYALE: THE FASTER THEY CAN GET TO PRODUCE WHOLESALER AND RETAILER IN ALBUQUERQUE THESE ARE THE RIPE AVOCADOES >> HERE. WOW. ROYALE: EVERY DAY - LOADS AND LOADS OF TOMATOES, ONIONS AND AVOCADOES FROM MEXICO ARRIVE TO TH WAREHOUSE -- OFF OF MENAUL. THEY'LL ARRIVE IN THE MORNING ALBUQUERQUE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES. WOW, THIS IS A LOT OF AVOCADOE >> YES, THESE ARE THE LARGE AVOCADOES HERE. ROYALE: RIGHT NOW - THE BIG SELLER - AVOCADOES AND AT THIS TIME -- SEGOVIA IS GETTING THEM ALL FROM MEXICO RONNY DELGADO WORKS FOR THE COMPANY IN SALES. HE SAYS BUYING FROM MEXICO IS GOOD FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. >> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, IT GIVES US A CHOICE AND IT'S MORE ECONOMICAL AND WE PASS ON A BETTER DEAL TO THE PUBLIC. WE GET IN TRUCKS DAILY, SEMIS, BUT WE SELL ABOUT 800-900 CASES A WEEK. ROYALE: PLENTY OF THOSE CASES GARCIA'S SEVEN LOCATIONS ACROSS THEY'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS F MORE THAN FOUR DECADES AND DAN GARCIA, THE V.P.OF OPERATIONS SAYS, MEXICO PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN THEIR FOOD SERVICE. >> WELL, THE MAIN THING WE GET RIGHT NOW IS AVOCADOES AND JALAPENOS AND THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE EVERYBODY LOVES THEM AND THEY GO ON A LOT OUR FLAUTAS, OUR BURGERS, GUACAMOLE, AND CHIPS OF COURSE. ROYALE: AND GETTING THE FRUIT FROM SEGOVIA'S ALLOWS GARCIAS TO KEEP PRICES REASONABLE. >> THEY PLAY A BIG PART IN OUR BUSINESS BECAUSE IF THEIR PRICES GO UP THEN OURS GO U ROYALE: AND CHEAPER AVOCADOES ARE VERY IMPORTANT -- GARCIA'S USES A LOT OF THEM. >> WE GET ABOUT 45-50 CASES A WEEK. SO THAT'S ABOUT 200 A MONTH, ABOUT 2,500, MAYBE 3,000 CASES OUR CATERING DEPARTMENT. ROYALE: IT'S FOOD THAT'S MADE A LONG JOURNEY. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FROM MEXICO MOVING THROUGH PORTS OF ENTRY ARE A BIG PART OF THE ACTIVITY HERE. BUT THIS IS JUST IT'S BEGINNING --- AS IT MAKES A LONG TRIP NORTH. THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES IT EXPORTS ABOUT $7 BILLION WORTH OF VEGETABLES A YEAR. ITS TOP EXPERT IS VEHICLES, MAKING UP ABOUT 26% OF EVERYTHING THE COUNTRY EXPORTS. THROUGH THE SANTA THERESA CROSSING, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CATTLE DO, TO THE AREA WAS FIRST BUILT TO PROCESS LIVESTOCK BETWEEN NEXT KEEN THE UNITED STATES. THE STOCKYARDS SPAN BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER AND USD INSPECTORS MAKE SURE THE ANIMALS ARE HEALTHY AND DISEASE FREE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED INTO THE UNITED STATES. ROYALE: ABOUT 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE SANTA THERESA CROSSING, THERE IS ANOTHER PORT OF ENTRY OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY IN COLUMBUS. HUNDREDS OF CARS AND PEOPLE PASS-THROUGH THIS PORT EVERY DAY. AND ALL OF THOSE CARS MUST BE INSPECTE ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER SASHA LENNINGER GOT A LOOK AT THE TODD: TECHNOLOGY USED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES IS LEGAL. >>BORDER PATROL AGENTS AT THE COLUMBUS PORT OF ENTRY ARE NEVER SURPRISED BY WHAT THEY FIND HIDDEN IN CARS. TRY TO SMUGGLE INTO THE UNITED STATES? ILLEGAL DRUGS AND MEDICINE. SOMETIMES THEY FINDTHE UNCOMMON. >> I WAS JUST SEARCHING THE CAR, AND I STUCK MY HAND UNDERNEA THE SEAT I ENCOUNTERED IT. >> INSIDE THAT TUBE A RARE PARROT. >> SMUGGLERS LIKELY GAVE IT ALCOHOL TO KEEP IT QUIET WHILE HALFING INTO THE U.S >> CUSTOM OFFICER ARE ON THEIR THEY ARE 3 MILES SOUTH OF DEMOCRATTING. 74 OFFICERS AND STAFF WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK. IT'S THE ONLY PORT OF ENTRY IN NEW MEXICO THAT'S OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WHEN YOU GET HERE TO THE BORDER, THIS IS YOUR FIRST STOP. YOU'LL GIVE AN AGENT YOUR DOCUMENTS, BUT SOMETIMES SOME VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN EXTRA SEARCH. >> WE DON'T XRAY ALL THE CARS, SO THERE HAS TO BE A REASON WHY WE DO IT. THE REASON-- AN OFFICER SENSES SOMETHING IS OFF-- >> WHETHER IT BE WITH THE BODY OF THE CAR-- OR THE STORY THE PERSON IS TELLING THEM. >> THEY START COMING THROUGH HERE. WE TRY AND KEEP THEM AT 3 TO 5 MILES AN HOUR. >> AS THE CAR DRIVES TECHNOLOGY KICKS IN, AN XRAY DOES A SCAN, A SCREEN >> DENSITY, IT WILL LOOK REAL DENSE, OR A SHAPE. YOU CAN SEE THE PANELS IF THEY HAVE THE BUNDLES. IF IT IS A METAL CONTAINER, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SQUARED OFF OR THE SHAPE OF THE CONTAINER. >> IF EVERYTHING IS CLEAR THE CAR IS LET THROUGH. BUT IF SOMETHING LOOKS IRREGULAR, OFFICERS WILL DO ANOTHER INSPECTION. >> THEY ARE PARKED OVER HERE, WAITING AREA. SOMEONE TAKES CARE OF THE PASSENGERS. >> WITH THESE INSPECTIONS OFFICERS HAVE MORE TOOLS IN THEIR BELT. LIKE THIS SCOP >> YOU ACTUALLY PUT IT INTO THE COMPARTMENTS, WHEREVER YOU WANT TO LOOK INTO THE COMPARTMENT WHETHER IT BE THE AIR VENTS, THE GAS TANK, SOMETIMES BEHIND THE SEAT. >> IT FITS INTO SMALL AREAS --THAT CAN BE TRICKY TO GET INT >> I HAD QUITE A FEW SEIZURES WITH GAS TANKS USING THE SCOP >> OR OFFICERS CAN TAKE THE CAR APART. >> NOW WE HAVE THIS DISMANTLE AREA WHERE WE CAN WORK AND EITHER HEAT IT OR COOL IT IF WE HAVE TO >> THE GARAGE EQUIPPED WITH A LIFT-- TOOLS-- AND THIS AIR TIGHT BOX TO SAFELY HANDLE TOXIC MATERIALS AND DRUGS. IF THEY THINK THEY FOUND DRUGS, THEY TEST IT >> YOU TAKE A SMALL SAMPLE AND YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TH CHANGES COLORS ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU HAVE IN HERE. OR THEY CAN USE THIS NEWER, MORE >> ADVANCED TEST. ITS ABLE TO TELL YOU THE NARCOTIC IS. >> THE OFFICER WOULD COLLECT A SMALL SAMPLE AND THEN STICK IT INTO THE MACHINE. >> IT'S GOING TO SMELL OR DETECT WHATEVER THE CHEMICAL IS >> PINPOINTING THE TYPE OF DRUG. THEY SAY THIS TECHNOLOGY IS FANTASTIC BECAUSE BEFORE WHAT THEY HAD TO KNOCK ON DOORS JUST LIKE THIS TO SEE AND HEAR IF THERE WERE ANY ANOMALIES. >> EVERYBODY WOULD WONDER WHY WE TAPPED BECAUSE YOU'RE TRYING TO HEAR THE DIFFERENT SOUND IN THE GAS TANK OR THE TIRE OR WHATEVER WAS TAPPED. >> DOGS ARE ALSO USED TO SNIFF OUT DRUGS. PEOPLE WANTING TO CROSS AREN'T ALWAYS IN CARS. ON AVERAGE 900 PEDESTRIANS CROSS INTO THE U.S. THROUGH THIS PORT OF THAT 600 R00 ARE STUDENTS COMING TO THE U.S. FOR A BETTER EDUCATION, THE REST ARE TOURISTS OR PEOPLE COMING BACK HOME AFTER A VISIT TO A DENTIST OR FARMCY >> AS A PERSON WALKS UP, YOU'RE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR FINGER RIGHT THERE ON THE PRIMARY AND THAT INFORMATION IS RELAYED TO THE COMPARE. IT TELLS YOU IF THAT DOCUMENT DOES BELONG TO THAT PERSON >> THE COLUMBUS PORT OF ENTRY IS THE NEWEST IN THE STATE. BEFORE TODAY-- THE OLD PORT OF ENTRY WAS FIVE ACRES-- LOCATED JUST THREE CAR LENGTHS FROM THE BORDER >> BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THE SHOOTINGS WERE REALLY BAD IN MEXICO, A COUPLE OF THE SHOTS ACTUALLY HIT THE FLAG POLES. THAT'S HOW CLOSE WE WERE. >> NOW THIS HUGE COMPLEX COVERS AT THE COLUMBUS PORT OF ENTRY, I'M SASHA LENNINGER. BACK TO YOU. TODD: THE NEWLY RENOVATED COLUMBUS PORT OF ENTRY REOPENED OCTOBER 29TH. THE TOTAL COST OF THE RENOVATIONS WAS ABOUT $96 MILLIO ROYALE: YOU CAN JOIN THE DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW ON OUR KOAT FACEBOOK PAGE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION DEBATE -- VISIT OUR WEBSITE KOAT.COM AND LOOK UNDER THE PROJECT COMMUNITY THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER WE NEED A BARRIER ON THE BORDER IS A FIERCE ONE. LET'S GO BACK TO DOUG AND SHELLY AT ONE BARRIER IN OUR STATE - IN SANTA TERESA. >> COMING UP WE'LL TAKE YOU TO A BORDER CITY WITH NO BORDER OR IMMIGRATION DEBATE >> WHY KEEPING THE PEACE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES ISN'T AN ISS PROJECT COMMUNITY SPECIAL CONTINUES-- NEXT. >> WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT BORDER ISSUES, IT'S ALMOST ALL ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BORDER WITH MEXICO BUT TO THE NORTH, THE UNITED STATES' BORDER WITH CANADA AT MORE THAN 5,500 MILES IS NEARLY THREE TIMES AS LONG. >> IN FACT, IT'S THE LONGEST LAND BORDER BETWEEN ANY TWO COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. WE WANTED TO KNOW, WITH SUCH A MASSIVE BORDER, WHY IS THERE SO LITTLE DEBATE ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND BORDER SECURITY THER SO DIFFERENT. IT IS THE LONGEST INTERNATIONAL BORDER IN THE WORLD. 5,500 MILES SEPARATING THE UNITED STATES WITH CANADA; TWICE AS LONG AS OUR BORDER WITH MEXICO BUT WITH FAR FEWER PATROL AGENTS THAN OUR SOUTHERN BORDER ALMOST 20,000. SO IS OUR BORDER WITH CANADA, VULNERABLE? DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK AND WHE YOU ASK IT. IN THIS SMALL VERMONT TOWN. THE BORDER GOES RIGHT THROUGH >> IT SHARES MORE THAN JUST A BORDER.BECAUSE THE BORDER, GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE LIBRARY, WHICH IS ALSO HOME TO AN OPERA HOUSE. BOB KELLEY IS THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR OF DERBY LINE, VERMONT. POPULATION.LESS THAN 5,000 >> IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE THAT TH STAGE IS ON THE CANADIAN SIDE SO THE PERFORMANCE IS BEING DONE CANADA AND MOST OF THE SEATS ARE ON THE U.S. SIDE SO YOU'RE IN THE UNITED STATES WATCHING A PERFORMANCE IN CANAD >> FOR CENTURIES, PEOPLE IN THIS SMALL TOWN HAVEN'T GIVEN MUCH ATTENTION TO THE UNIQUE LANDMARKS LIKE THE LIBRARY, THAT SIT ON THE BORDER BETWEEN CANADA AND THE U.S. INCLUDING THE LINE THAT RUNS ROAD IN DERBY; SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY REFERRED TO IT AS, "CAN-USA AVENUE." PRACTICALLY MAKING DERBY LINE VERMONT, AND STANSTEAD, QUEBEC, ONE PLACE, JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET APART! SNOW, AND JUST THESE CONCRETE MARKERS WERE DIVIDING THE TWO COUNTRIES WHEN WE VISITE BUT IN THE WARMER MONTHS, THE LINE IS MARKED BY THESE INFAMOUS POTTED PLANTS THERE. KELLEY GREW UP IN DERBY LINE, AND SAYS HE'S SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN POLICING AT THE PORT OF ENTRY NEAR INTERSTATE 91, HALF A MILE AWAY, THAT STARTED AFTER 9-11 >> THE SCRUTINY COMING ACROSS THE BORDER HAS GREATLY INCREASED. WHEN WE WERE KIDS YOU'D JUST RIDE YOUR BIKES ACROSS THE ROAD DOWN ANY OF THE STREETS. >> A AND TODAY HE SAYS, THERE'S STILL THAT SIMILAR SENSE OF CALM AND CAMARADERIE FOR THE MO PART. >> I MEAN THEY STILL COOPERATE WI EACH OTHER, THE VILLAGE OF DERBY LINE AND THE VILLAGE OF STANSTEAD ACROSS THE BORDER, THEY SHARE A WATER SYSTEM, THEY SHARE THE SEWER SYSTEM. THERE'S MUTUAL AID BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, IF THEY NEED ONE ON THEY COME AND HELP OUT. EVERYONE STILL GETS ALONG REAL GOOD. >> JUST NOT MUCH TALK ABOUT THE BORDER IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE HERE HE SAYS, NOR MUCH CONCERN ABOUT IT EITHER. >> WE DON'T HAVE MUCH CRIME AS IS SO I DON'T THINK THAT REALLY AFFECTS US MOST OF THEM COMING ACROSS ARE GOIN' SOMEPLACE ELSE, THERE'S NOT MUCH HER >> BUT THERE IS A GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE DRAMATICALLY INCREASING NUMBER OF ARRESTS ALONG OTHER AREAS OF THE CANADIAN BORDER IN THE LAST YEAR. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NUMBERS FROM U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, IN FISCAL YEAR 2018, THERE WERE 4,316 APPREHENSIONS. COMPARED TO THE NUMBER O AT JUST UNDER 400,000 IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT SIGNIFICANT. BUT THE 4,316 IS A 4 INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CROSSING INTO THE UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY FROM CANADA, ALSO UP IN FISCAL YEAR 2017: 504 FISCAL YEAR 2018: 963 PEOPLE ONE OF THE PLACES SEEING THE LARGEST INCREASE OF ARRESTS IS THE AREA NEAR THE DETROIT BORDER. IN FACT, ACCORDING TO A BORDER PATROL AGENT WHO SPOKE TO ABC NEWS, ONE DESCRIBED A QUOTE, "SOPHISTICATED" SMUGGLING OPERATION, BASED IN CANADA, THAT REGULARLY SNEAKS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, PARTICULARLY CHINESE, INTO THE UNITED STATES BY WAY OF DETROI AND ACCORDING TO RECENT NUMBERS FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, MO THAN HALF OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED LAST YEAR AS THEY TRAVELED FROM CANADA TO THE U.S. WERE MEXICAN CITIZENS. KELLEY SAYS, EVERYONE'S AWARE THE BORDER IS UNDER CONSTA SURVEILLANCE - >> YOU'LL HEAR HELICOPTERS FLYING THE BORDER. STRATEGIC PLACES >> A MY PERSPECTIVE IS I GUARANTEE THEY'LL START CLOSING DOWN SOME OF THESE BORDERS. >> BUT STILL, THEY CONSIDER THEIR CANADIAN NEIGHBORS TO BE LIKE EXTENDED FAMILY. AND VIEW THE SITUATION ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER, AS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING. >> OH IT'S NIGHT AND DAY. NIGHT AND DAY. YOU SEE DOWN THERE IT'S MORE MAYBE MORE HARDCORE AS YOU WOULD SAY. AND OVER HERE IT'S MORE, FRIENDLY I FEEL. IT'S ALL FAMILY ORIENTED. WE GO OVER THERE, WE SHARE THE HOCKEY RINKS OVER THERE AND STUFF, AND THEY COME OVER HERE AND SHARE OUR STUFF. IT'S DIFFERENT >> BUT RESIDENTS OF DERBY ANTICIPATE MORE CHANGE. MORE HEIGHTENED SECURITY TO COME. DERBY'S TOWN ADMINISTRATOR HOPES THAT WON'T MEAN BRICK AND MORTAR. >> THERE'S NO NEED FOR A WALL LIKE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ON THE MEXICAN BORDER. AT LEAST THAT'S MY OPINION. >> IT'S AMAZING JUST HEARING THE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE BORDER WITH CANADA--IT'S THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE. >> WHEN THE ANSWER IS A PLANT ABOUT THAT HEIGHT. >> IT IS HARD TO VISUALIZE WHAT THE BORDER LOOKS LIKE AS IT GOE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF NEW MEXICO. YOU CAN IMAGINE 180 MILES LONG IN OUR STATE IT LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM WHERE YOU ARE. >> IT IS A DIVERSE TERRAIN. ARMAS EXPLAINS HOW THAT TERRAIN MEXICO AND MEXICO. SOME CLOSED OFF BY STEEL WALLS. OTHER AREAS BARDED FENCES >> SEVERAL MILES IS NORMANDY FENCING. DOZENING MILES IS ONLY BARBED WIRE. >> THAT'S ALL THE BARRIER WITHIN HIDALGO COUNTY. MARISSA: MUCH OF THE BORDER IS ON PRIVATE LAND. MANY OF THE RANCHERS INSTALLED THE RUGGED TERRAIN IS ALSO AN ISSUE. >> I DON'T SEE IN THIS AREA IN HI DAL GO COUNTY WHERE A WALL WOULD BE WHERE YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT A WALL UP. >> A FEW MILES EAST LUNA COUNTY SHARES 50 MILES OF BORDER ARE NORMAN FENCING POST AND RAIL BARRIERS AND BRABBED WIRE ARE THE DIFFERENT STRUCTURES. >> THE BARBED WIRE IS THE WEAKEST LINK. >> TO THE EAST IS A COUNT WHERE THAT SHARES 45 MILES OF BORDER. HERE YOU'LL MOSTLY SEE NORMANDY FENCING OR 18-FOOT TALL STEEL BARRIERS SUCH AS SANTA THERESA. WHILE MOST OF THE NEW MEXICO BARRIER IN PLACE, THERE ARE SEVERAL MOUNTAINOUS AREAS LIKE THIS WHERE PUTTING UP FENCING OR WALL WOULD BE TOUGH. THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THERE IS NOTHING IN PLACE SUCH AS NEAR THIS MOUNTAIN AND THE HE GIR RAN MOW TRAIL. BUT BORDER PATROL AGENTS SAY MOUNTIANS SERVE AS NATURAL BARRIERS. >> THE WALL, FENCE, INFRASTRUCTURE, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S PART OF A MIXTURE OF THINGS THAT WE NEED. IT'S NOT JUST IT. MARISSA: AGENTS BELIEVE WE NEED SOME SORT OF BARRIER INSTALLED AT EVERY MILE ALONG OUR BORDER TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC OR PREVENT VEHICLES FROM CROSSING OVER. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL ARGUE THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD DO A VIRTUAL FENC >> A VIRTUAL WALL WOULD DO GREAT THINGS. BUT AGENTS LIKE THIS ONE SAY YOU NEED THE HANDS TO DO THE WORK ON THE GROUND. >> THERE IS NO CAMERA THAT WILL CLIMB OFF THE POLE AND APPREHEND SOMEBODY THAT'S COMMIT ADD CRIME. THEY ARE JUST GOOD FOR SEEING. MARISSA: WHETHER IT'S A STEEL FENCE SEPARATING THE COUNTRIES, POST AND RAILS, OR STRINGED OF BARBED WIRE, THE CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE ON HOW TO SECURE OUR BORDER CONTINUES REPORTING FROM SUMLAND PARK, MARISSA ARMAS, KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS >> WE HAVE HEARD FROM ONE RANCHER IN THE BOOT HEEL OF NEW MANY MIGRANTS A DAY ON HIS LAND HE IS WILLING TO DONATE EIGHT MILES OF HIS PROPERTY SO A WALL CAN BE BUILT THERE >> WE'RE EXPLORING THE DIVISIVE IMMIGRATION DEBATE AND SEARCHING FOR WAYS BOTH SIDES CAN COM TOGETHER. >> NEW MEXICO'S ONE OF FOUR STATES THAT SHARES A BORDER WITH MEXICO ALONG WITH TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, AND ARIZONA. EACH ONE FACES DIFFERENT CHALLENGES AND TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO HANDLING THE BORDER. DEPENDING WHERE YOU LIVE, YOUR VIEWS MAY BE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT. >> ACTION 7 NEW REPORTER SHELBY WENT TO CALIFORNIA TO GIVE US PERSPECTIV ITS ANOTHER SUNNY DAY- >> ON IMPERIAL BEACH IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, BUT THE WAVES HERE DON'T JUST CRASH ONTO PRISTINE WHITE SAND. THEY CRASH- INTO THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF STEEL-SEPARATING THE U.S. FROM MEXICO. WE SEE SMUGGLING ATTEMPTS AL ALL THE TIME COMING THROUGH IN BOATS AND PLEASURE CRAFT. THE PACIFIC OCEAN POSES A UNIQUE >> CHALLENGE FOR THE SAN DIEGO SECTOR OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL. AND ITS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER SOUTHWEST BORDER STATE. >> ITS ACTUALLY A VERY DANGEROUS METHOD OF TRYING TO SMUGGLE ALIENS IN. >> SO FAR THIS YEAR THE MARITI UNIT HAS APPREHENDED 248 PEOPLE. THREE HAVE DIED. >> A THEY HAVE TOTAL DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE COMING THROUGH THE MARITIME BORDER. >> A FROM OCEANS-- TO MOUNTAINS >> THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT >> OF SAN DIEGO'S 60 MILES OF BORDER, LIKE IN NEW MEXICO, 14 MILES ARE BEING TRANSFORMED. WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED THE BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM. >> BUT ITS NOT ONE WALL, ITS TWO. WHAT YOU MAY RECOGNIZE IS THIS. AN 18 FOOT STEEL BARRIER. WHAT YOU WONT RECOGNIZE IS THI ANOTHER 30 FOOT STEEL BARRIER JUST FEET IN FRONT OF THE OTHER. >> A THIS 30-FOOT BOLLARD GIVES US A LOT MORE TIME ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THAT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY WALL >> MORE TIME TO CATCH MIGRANTS BEFORE THEY CAN BE ABSORBED INTO HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF BIG CITY LIFE. A STARK DIFFERENCE FROM NEW MEXICO'S MORE RURAL BORDER >> THEY CAN GET INTO VEHICLES AND ONTO THE FREEWAY AND TRY TO GO NORTH. >> A CHALLENGE BORDER PATROL IN SAN DECADES. IT WAS CHAOS. >> THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS RUNNING ACROSS BUSY FREEWAYS. CAMPING OUT IN OPEN FIELDS AFTER CROSSING INTO THE U.S., COOKING AND PLAYING SOCCER. THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO STOP THEM. THIS WAS LIFE ON THE BORDER HERE IN TH80S AND 90S. >> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CUT THAT IN 40 SECONDS LIKE PEOPLE CUT THIS OLD SECONDARY WALL. >> WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE BORDER WALL AND LIKE IN PARTS OF NEW MEXICO, THE TERRAIN HERE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD. IS THIS TREACHEROUS TERRAI WHAT'S DIFFERENT FROM NEW MEXICO IS WHAT IS OVER HERE. THAT'S TIJUANA, THE SECOND MOST POPULATED BORDER CITY WITH NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE. TWO MAJOR CITIES. TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. A WHOLE NEW SET OF CHALLENGES. THE SAN DIEGO SECTOR MAKES AROUND 172 APPREHENSIONS A DAY. >> ITS EXTREMELY POPULATED ON THE U.S. SIDE. THERE ARE JUST SO MANY FREEWAYS CLOSE TO THE BORDER. >> BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WANT THE BUSIEST LAND PORT OF ENTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE WITH MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE WHO CROSS EVERY DA BUT WHERE MOST PEOPLE SEE CHAOS, ONE MAN SEES OPPORTUNITY >> I GREW UP CROSSING THE BORDER IN A '49 CHEVY. >> MIGUEL AGUIRRE SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD GOING TO VISIT FAMILY IN MEXICO. EVEN AS A KID HE HAD A DREAM TO OPEN A BUSINESS RIGHT WHERE TWO COUNTRIES MEET. THAT DREAM BECAME A REALITY 21 AGO. HE OWNS A MCDONALDS RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE PORT OF ENTRY. >> A WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH PORT OF ENTRY THAT COULD CREATE SOCIOECONOMIC PLATFORM >>> MIGUEL AND HIS RESEARCH GROUP BORDERFUSION WANT TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AROUND PORTS OF ENTR >> IT ALL BEGINS WITH TRANSPORTAION CENTERS LIKE W HAVE HERE. STEP OUT OF MEXICO AND ONTO U.S. >> SOIL HERE. YOU ARE GREETED BY A LIGHT RAIL A LONG HAUL BUS, A LINE OF TAXIS. MIGUEL HOPES TO USE THE SAN YSIDRO PORT OF ENTRY AS A MODEL FOR MORE RURAL BORDER CROSSINGS. >> WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU PUT A LITTLE MARKET NEXT TO THAT TRANSPORTATION CENTER, A LITTLE HOTEL, ALL OF THE SUDDEN YOU ARE STARTING TO CREATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY >> ECONOMIC ACTIVITY LIKE THIS, A MASSIVE OUTLET MALL CONNECTED TO THE BORDER WAL MIGUEL CALLS IT A BORDER-TROPOLIS. >> A WE NEED TO HAVE MORE POSITIVE NARRATIVES. >> IN ORDER FOR MIGUELS VISION TAKE SHAPE, BORDER PATROL HERE, LIKE IN NEW MEXICO, SAY THEY NEED TO ADDRESS SECURING THE BORDER FIRST CALIFORNIA IS ALSO DEALING WITH AN INFLUX OF MIGRANTS FROM CENTRAL AMERIC AND THEY BELIEVE THE NEW DOUBLE WALL SYSTEM IS THE BEST WAY TO STAR THAT IS THE IDEAL SYSTEM. >>ACCORDING TO CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, AFTER FENCING WAS INSTALLED NEAR SAN DIEGO AND THE BORDER WITH MEXICO, THEY SAW A 75% DECLINE IN ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING >> AS WE'VE BEEN SHOWING YOU THE MOST DIVISIVE ISSUES ARE NATION FACES RIGHT NOW. >>> NEXT, WE SIT DOWN ALL TOGETHER WITH SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ON OPPOSITE SIDES, TO SEE WHERE THEY ALL CAN AGREE. >> BORDER AND IMMIGRATION ISSUES DOMINATE THE HEADLINES AND THEY'RE SOME OF THE MOST DECADE THERE ARE WIDELY VARYING OPINIONS ON THE TOPICS BUT ALSO SOME COMMON GROUND. WE'LL EXPLORE BOTH OF THOSE. TONIGHT, WE'RE BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM BOTH SIDES, AS WE WORK TO KEEP A DISCUSSION OPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. JOINING ME HERE IN THE STUDIO -- ROXIE DE SANTIAGO IS AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY. COWBOYS FOR TRUMP. KRIS MASSEY, A FARMER IN HIDALGO COUNTY, IN THE BOOT HEEL OF NEW MEXICO. ACLU'S BORDER RIGHTS OFFICE, WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED NEAR THE BORDER IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. LET'S START OFF WITH A MORE BROAD QUESTION FOR EACH OF YOU HERE. WHAT IS THE BORD IMMIGRATION ISSUE ABOUT? COURY >> IT'S ABOUT A CRISIS. THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS THAT WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW. JUST THIS LAST MONTH ALONE WAS 103,000 THAT WERE APPREHENDED ALONG OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. IF YOU PUT THAT IN A RELEVANCE PLATFORM, IF YOU WERE TO CONTAIN THAT 130,000 TO ONE CITY, THAT WOULD BE THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN NEW MEXICO. POPULATION GREATER THAN LAS CRUCES. >> NOT REALLY. I JUST FEEL IN MY PERSONAL OPINION THERE IS A CRISIS ON THE BORDER. ADDRESSED. JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE POLITICIANS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THES ISSUES. WHATEVER SIDE YOU ARE ON, IT'S ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER. >> ROXIE, DO YOU SEE IT AS A CRISIS? >> I SEE IT AS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS. I THINK THESE PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AND THEY ARE COMING TO LAND WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS. AND I THINK IT'S A TIME IN OUR NATION WHEN WE NEED TO DECIDE IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND BE A WELCOMING NATION, OR IF WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE AND BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. >> THE ONLY CRISIS WE SEE IS T MORAL CRISIS. THE INHUMANE AND CRUEL POLICIES ARE BEING -- PRACTICED IN THE BORDER REGION AND DEHUMANIZATION OF MIGRANTS. >> MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO AGREE THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. JORGE, JUST TO PIG YEABACK ON WHAT DO YOU SEE IS WORKING? >> WHAT WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF, BETTER TRUST WITHIN COMMUNITIES. EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY ALONG WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT TRUST BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND DOCUMENTING IS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TENDS TO BE WORKING WITH IMMIGRATION OR WITH FEDERAL OR ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAWS. SO A STEP THAT WE CAN TAKE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A BETTER TRUST WITH EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAW. >> WORKING ALONG THE BORDER I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WORKING. I WANT TO MAKE THE CASE WE'RE NOT ANTI-IMMIGRATION. WE'RE A NATION THAT BELIEVES IN IMMIGRANTS. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED IMMIGRANTS IN ORDER TO REMAIN HEALTHY AND VIABLE. I AGRE WITH YOU. WHAT WE WANT IS WE WANT LEGAL PROCESS IMMIGRANTS TO COME INTO OUR COUNTRY. THE WAY IT'S WORKING NOW WITH UNSECURED BORDERS, OUT OF THAT 130,000 APPREHENDED, 92,000 OF THOSE WERE APPREHENDED BETWEEN PORTS. ALONG AN UNSECURED BORDER. WE HAVE NO PROCESSES TO VET THEY ARE NOT JUST MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS. BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY CENTRAL AMERICAN. THERE IS OVER 50 COUNTRIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN THAT POPULATION. WHENEVER YOU HAVE IMMIGRANTS COUNTRIES, ASIAN COUNTRIES, EASTERN EUROPEA COUNTRIES, WE DON'T HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE TO PROPERLY VET THOSE PEOPLE. >> I WOULD AGREE. WE SHOULD HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE. THE LAW'S ALREADY EXIST THAT SAY IF AN INDIVIDUAL PRESENTS THEMSELVES AT THE BORDER, THEY SHOULD BE PROCESSED AND DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT ASYLUM EXISTS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY AND ASYLUM INTO THE UNITED STATES. BUT THAT PROCESS IS NOT BEING FOLLOWED CURRENTLY BY THE ADMINISTRATION. WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH AGENTS OR WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE SHOWING AT THE BORDER. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THAT PROCESS. >> WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO DO CREDIBLE FEAR INTERVIEWS. WE NEED AN ABILITY FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THEIR CASES IN FRONT OF IMMIGRATION COURTS. WE NEE MORE IMMIGRATION JUDGES. CURRENTLY IMMIGRATION COURTS ARE BACKLOGGED BY YEARS. >> MOVE ON HERE TO WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PHYSICALLY AT THE BORDER WALL. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE? >> WE NEED A PHYSICAL BARRIER. THAT'S NOT TO SAY YOU PUT UP A WALL WITH NO GATES. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COME INTO A GATE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CENTRAL LOCATION WHERE THEY ARE NOT JUST COMING IN ANY POINT IN TIME THEY WANT IN ANY LOCATION THEY WANT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROCESS TO COME IN WHERE WE ALLOW THEM BECAUSE WE'RE A SOVEREIGN NATION. >> I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS THAT A BORDER WALL WILL NOT MAKE US SAFER. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE WE WANT SAFE COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER, THE ONLY THING A BORDER WALL WILL DO IS DESTROY THE ENVIRONMENT, AFFECT WILDLIFE. A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY, AND BASICALLY JUST FURTHER ENTRENCH THE RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY. >> I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING QUICKLY. IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, ARE YOU HERE ILLEGALLY. I COULDN'T CARE WHAT RACE ARE YOU, WHAT NATION YOU COME FROM. IF YOU COME HERE ILLEGALLY, ARE YOU AN ILLEGAL. THE WALL, IT COULD BE BETTER PRESENTED AS A WALL OF SECURITY. IT'S NOT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA. INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY. BUT WE HAVE TO -- IT'S MORE IMPORTANT, AND THE WALL IS THE MESSAGE THAT WE SEND OUT TO SECURE. THAT YOU NO LONGER CAN ENTER IN BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE HEADLINES ACROSS ALL SOUTH AMERICA IS THAT IT'S GREEN LIGHT GO. RIGHT NOW ALL OF OUR AGENTS ARE STUCK ON THE BORDER WHILE OUR CHECKPOINTS IN MY COUNTY ARE OPEN. I TALKED TO AN UNDERCOVER AGENT THE OTHER NIGHT THAT SAID THE STASH HOUSES IN EL PASO ARE BEING UNLOADED RIGHT NOW. >> A STICKING POINT IS BECAUSE THE MESSAGE IS THE CONCERN ON BUT THE MESSAGE THAT WANTS TO BE DELIVERED IS DIFFERENT. LIKE JORGE WAS TALKING ABOUT. ROXIE? >> HERE'S THE HARD PART, RIGHT. IS THAT A WALL IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE FACT THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING UP NECESSARILY. WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS, WHAT THE LAW ACTUALLY SAYS IN THE UNITED STATES, IS IF YOU PRESENT YOU ARE THEN GIVEN AN ASYLUM PROCESS. WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THOSE POINT OF ENTRIES THAT EXIST IS TURNING THEM AWAY. SO THEY HAVE COME UP THOUSANDS ONLY OTHER OPTION IS TO GET IN THE OTHER SIDE THEN WE HAVE NO CHOICE. BUT TO TAKE THEM INTO DETENTION F WE ACTUALLY DID OUR JOB AT TH POINT OF ENTRY, THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE OTHER INDIVIDUA COMING IN THROUGH UNMANNED LOCATIONS. >> ALSO, TOO, I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN AT THE PORTS OF ENTRY. I HAVE PERSONALLY ASKED AGENTS AT THE PORTS AND THEY STATED, NO, WE'RE NOT TAKING ASYLUM SEEKERS HERE. AS A PERSON OF COLOR LIVING IN THE BORDER REGION, BORN AND RAISED, THE ONLY TIME I EVER FELT FEAR IS ACTUALLY ATTEMPTING TO EXERCISE MY RIGHTS AT A CHECKPOINT. I TAKE MY COUSINS TO THE MOVIES, GOING HOME, I HAVE TO CROSS A CHECK POINTS. I'M GOING TO COME IN CONTACT WITH FEDERAL ARMED AGENTS. AND BECAUSE OF MY SKIN COLOR, BECAUSE OF WHO I AM, MY EXISTENCE, THAT'S GOING TO PERPETUATE THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE. THE SCOPE OF QUESTIONING GOES BEYOND MY CITIZENSHIP STATUS. WHERE ARE YOU COME INTERESTING? ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS. WHERE ARE YOU GOING? MY ANSWER IS IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. THAT'S YOUR ANSWER. >> YOU WILL BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY. >> I APPRECIATE YOU SAID THAT. I ATTEMPTED TO EXERCISE MY RIGHTS. I WAS SURROUNDED BY AGENTS THAT HAD THEIR HANDS ON THEIR WEAPONS. INSTINCTIVE FIVELY HI TO TELL MY LITTLE COUSIN, COMBRURT HANDS UP, DON'T TAKE SUDDEN MOVEMENTS. I STARTED RECORDING FOR MY OWN SAFETY. THE AGENTS REALIZED I WAS RECORDING THEY LET ME G >> MOST OF THE AGENTS WHERE I'M AT ARE OF HISPANIC DESCENTS. MOST OF THE AGENTS WORKING THE CHECKPOINTS ARE HISPANIC. FOR YOU TO TRY TO MAKE THE CASE THAT IT'S OF YOUR COLOR AND BECAUSE ARE YOU BROWN, I DON'T THINK THAT HOLDS WATER. >> OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE. IT GETS EVERYONE'S BLOOD BOILING. THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME COMMON GROUND. WHERE ARE WE FINDING THE COMMON GROUND ON EACH SIDE? >> I STRONGLY THINK THERE IS COMMON GROUND. I AGREE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE AVAILABILITY FOR IMMIGRATION JUDGES. I AGREE THERE SHOULD. BUT THERE SHOULDN'T BE THIS INCENTIVE THAT ONCE WE CROSS WE'RE HERE, NOW WHAT DO YOU DO AT THAT POINT? >> THAT'S NOT THE INCENTIVE AT ALL. I THINK THAT THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT THE IN FACT, THE EL PASO IMMIGRATION CASES. IT'S ONE OF THE WORST I AM GRATION RIGHTS IN THE NATION. >> I THINK THE COMMON GROUND IS THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM. WE KNEE BETTER ASYLUM OFFICERS, REFORM OUR ASYLUM SYSTEM, BERT IMMIGRATION COURTS. WE PROBABLY NEED A GOOD GUEST IF THERE ARE ECONOMIC IMMIGRANTS COMING IN AND WE COULD GIVE THEM A PROGRAM TO COME IN TO WORK AND GO BACK TO THEIR NATION, WE WON'T HAVE PEOPLE THAT FEEL THAT THEY ARE STUCK IN THE UNITED STATES. >> I THINK THE COMMON GROUND IS JUST ON THE LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE. WE JUST NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. IF IT IS IN REGARDS TO ASYLUM, LET'S ALLOW THOSE ASYLUM SEEKERS TO COME INTO OUR NATION, AS LONG AS LONG AS IT'S FLEAING PERSECUTION FROM RELIGIOUS. >> WE NEED POLICY CHANGE. POLICY CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HUMANITY AND THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING AND WE NEED LAWS THAT MEET THE CONTEXT OF THE CURRENT SOCIETY AND WORLD WE LIVE IN. >> THANK YOU WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THREE MORE SPECIALS ON THESE TOPICS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE WANT TO GET THE FOUR OF YOU BACK HERE AGAIN THIS YEAR, TOO, SO WE CAN CAN CAN CONTINUE THIS DEBATE. THANK YOU-ALL FOR BEING HERE AGAIN. OVER TO ROYALE DA. >> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH MANY OF THESE PEOPLE AND OTHERS LIKE THEM ALL YEAR LONG. WE DIG INTO THE BORDER CONTROVERSY. TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY UNCOVERED. GO TO KOAT.COM AND CLICK THE PROJECT COMMUNITY TAB. NOW LET'S CHECK BACK IN WITH DOUG AND SHELLY IN SANTA THERESA. >> WE KNOW THERE IS A BIG DIVIDE ON THESE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY, HOW DO WE COME TOGETHER? WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE ACROSS NEW MEXICO WHO ARE REACHING OUT TO THE OTHER SIDE TO BRING PEOPLE TO A COMMON GROUND. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THE DEBATE, PLEASE LET US KNOW ON KOAT'S FACEBOOK PAGE. >> TODAY ONE OF THE MAIN INSHOES AT THE BORDER, DRUGS COMING INTO THE U.S. ILLEGALLY. WE WANTED TO KNOW JUST WHAT IS COMING ACROSS AND HOW MUCH? WE SPOKE WITH A BORDER PROTECTION EMPLOYEE WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ALONG THE BORDER FOR 25 YEARS TO FIND OUT. >> ILLEGAL DRUGS COMING ACROSS THE MEXICO BORDER. CRIMINALS TRYING TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS INTO THE U.S. >> TRADITIONALLY WE HAVE SEEN MARIJUANA COMING FROM MEXICO. NOW WE STARTING TO SEE COCAINE, HEROIN, MET >> THE FACT THEY ARE SEEING MORE OF IT MEANS THEY ARE CATCHING MORE OF IT THE MOST RECENT BORDER PATROL STAT SHOWS SINC 2018, AGENT CONFISCATED 26,000 POUNDS OF NEW. 17,49 POUNDS OF HEROIN. 9 ,000 PLUS POUNDS O BOT. AND 20,848 POUNDS OF METH. THAT IN ADDITION TO 708 POUNDS OF FENTANYL. >> IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY FOR THEM. IT'S A BUSINESS. >> THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS NOW AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF TRYING TO PUT DRUG SMUGGLERS OUT OF BUSINESS. ONE WAY, TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF ALL THE WAYS THE BAD GUYS TRY TO GET THE BAD STUFF IN. >> THE SOLES OF THEIR SHOES. IF YOU CAN IMAGINE IT, THEY HAVE DONE IT. >> INSTEAD OF PORTS OF ENTRY MANY SMUGGLERS GO TO RURAL AREAS OF NEW MEXICO. THIS IS WHERE THE SMALL VILLAG OF ANTELOPE WELLS WAS IN THE HEADLINES. LARGE GROUPS OF MIGRANTS WERE GOING THERE TO A SMALL BORDER STATION TO SEEK ASYLUM. THEY COMMAND THE ATTENTION OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS, AND THE COUNTY MANAGER THERE SUSPECTS DRUG CARTELS ARE USING THESE GROUPS TO DISTRACT THE AGENTS SO THEY CAN CAN CAN SMUGGLE DRUGS INTO THE U.S. >> THEY CHOOSE WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO GO AND HOW MUCH THEY OUR JOB IS TO ENFORCEMENT, NATIONAL SECURITY. AND ENSURE THAT WE INTERCEPT IT HERE. WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT. EVERY TIME. >> ACCORDING TO LAST YEAR'S NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT, MEXICO IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF HEROIN IN THE UNITED STATE >> IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO CATCH DRUG TRAFFICKERS. MUCH THE DEBATE TO BUILD A BORDER WALL HAS FOCUSED ON DRUGS. SMUGGLERS. OTHERS BELIEVE THEY WOULD STILL FIND A WAY IN. >> THIS IS OUR CAREER, WHAT WE DO. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL BECAUSE ANYTHING THAT COMES INTO OUR COUNTRY, IT WILL AFFECT OUR FAMILIES, CHILDREN, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. IT'S IMPORTANT WHAT THESE OFFICERS DO EACH AND EVERY DAY. >> BOTH SIDES AGREE, THE ILLEGAL DRUG BUSINESS IS KILLING AMERICANS AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO KEEP CAN THE DRUGS OUT OF THE US. WHAT DO THEY DO WITH ALL THE ILLEGAL DRUGS THEY DO FIND AT CHECKPOINTS? TO GET RID OF THEM. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL DOES NOT JUST WORK AT SITES ALONG THE BORDER, THEY HAVE STATIONS AT AIRPORTS TO MONITOR PEOPLE AND GOODS COMING IN ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS. >> MANY OF YOU HAVE WALKED PAST A PORT OF ENTRY AND NEVER KNEW T CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION RUNS OF BOARD OF ALBUQUERQUE AT THE SUN PORT. >> RIGHT NOW THERE IS ONE FLIGHT FROM GAUDLE LA HARA, INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS GO TO THE BORT WITH THEIR LUGGAGE. AND THE MACHINE MATCHES WOMEN WITH THE PASSPORTS AND QUESTIONED BY OFFICERS. >> THE MACHINES ALLOW US TO TAKE THE BIOMET THINGS OF EVERYONE COMING IN WITHOUT THE OFFICERS HAVING TO DO IT AT THE BOOTH. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PART IS FINISHED AND OFFICERS CA FOCUS ON AN INTERVIEW. >> ANOTHER DIRECT FLIGHT TO MEXICO WILL BE ADDED IN JUNE. THE OFFICE IS ALSO USED FOR WHAT'S CALLED GLOBAL ENTRY. A PROGRAM THAT PREAPPROVES TRAVELERS ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. YOU GO THROUGH AN INTERVIEW PROCESS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE A LOW-RISK TRAVELER. IT CAN CAN MAKE YOUR TRIP THE OFFICER AT THE ALBUQUERQUE PORT OF ENTRY DO ABOUT 8,000 OF THESE A YEAR. MORE FROM THE BORDER IN IN PROJECT COMMUNITY SPECIAL NEXT. >> IT HAS BEEN INSIGHTFUL SPENDING TIME HERE LEARNING WHAT'S CROSSING LYLE HELY AND ILLEGALLY AND HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE EVERY DAY. WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PERSPECTIVES ON BOTH SIDE OF THE BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION DEBATE. WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED. EACH WEDNESDAY ON ACTION 7 NEWS WE'LL BRING AWE PROJECT COMMUNITY REPORT EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF DIVISION AND FINDING WHAT COMMON GROUND THERE IS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE. >UAL' SEE MORE SPECIALS LIKE THIS THIS YEAR. FOCUSING ON THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE BORDER AND YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT HAPPENING ACROSS NEW MEXICO. WE'RE SEARCHING THE STATE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE REACHING THROUGH THE CONTROVERSY TO BRING BOTH SIDES TOGETHER. WE WANT TO KNOW IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO FITS THAT DESCRIPTION. >> YOU CAN FIND MORE OF OUR SECURITY IMMIGRATION DEBATE ON KOAT.COM UNDER THE PROJECT COMMUNITY TAB AND ON THE KOATAPP. >> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. IMPACTS US ALL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING YOU MORE STORIES FROM THE BORDER FOR THE COMING HERE. FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KOTA ACTION 7 NEWS, GOOD NIGHT. [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY T NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY. VISIT NCICAP.ORG]