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The top U.S. border enforcement official said Wednesday that his agency is exploring ways to involve citizen volunteers in creating “something akin to a Border Patrol auxiliary.”
The shift in rhetoric comes after a high-profile civilian campaign this spring along the Arizona-Mexico border.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert Bonner said his agency has focused on involving citizens after noting the willingness of volunteers to help federal agents catch illegal immigrants.
Until now, Border Patrol officials had generally criticized civilian efforts to police borders.
