CBP Officers at Laredo Port of Entry Detect Nine Immigration Violations in 24 Hours on America’s Birthday

Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry during a 24-hour period on America’s birthday detected nine separate alleged violations of immigration law, including entry with legitimate documents belonging to other people, use of altered entry documents and an alleged attempt to bring in a nine-year-old Mexican national girl with another child’s document.

One of the more notable cases developed when a bus passenger applied for admission to the U.S. at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge on July 4, 2012. The passenger applied for entry as a U.S. citizen and presented a U.S. passport. A CBP officer referred the passenger to secondary for further inspection. Further review determined that the passport was allegedly altered and the passenger was a 43-year-old male Mexican citizen with no documents to enter or reside in the U.S. CBP officers processed the man for alleged violations of federal immigration law.

In another notable case, CBP officers at Gateway to the Americas Bridge referred a 31-year-old male Mexican citizen pedestrian to secondary examination after he presented a U.S. passport for a minor female traveling with him. CBP officers conducted further review and discovered that the U.S. Passport belongs to another child and the nine year-old girl is a Mexican citizen with no legal documents to enter or reside in the U.S. CBP officers processed the 31-year-old man for alleged violations of federal immigration law. The child was turned over to the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS-ORR).

In a third notable case, CBP officers at the same bridge processed a 45-year-old Mexican citizen for alleged violations of immigration law after he applied for entry but claimed to have lost his resident alien card. Further review by CBP officers determined that the man had been previously removed in 2003 after completing a four-year prison sentence for assault.

“Our frontline CBP officers remained focused and detected nine separate alleged violations of immigration law on the Fourth of July,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo. “Their continued dedication to the CBP mission helps uphold the laws that keep our nation strong and our citizens and our borders safe and secure.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Watch Out for Illegally Imported Fireworks

CBP seizes dozens of illegal fireworks shipments on behalf of partner agencies

Washington— As Independence Day approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds the public to be safe when celebrating with fireworks. Nearly $100 million dollars worth of legitimate fireworks comes into the U.S. annually.

Imported fireworks are subject to various federal regulations for everything from customs duties and consumer product safety standards to hazardous material transport regulations. At the Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC) in Washington, DC, members from several key agencies in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have collaborated to ensure fireworks are safe for the public to enjoy.

This year CBP has seized dozens of illegal fireworks shipments on behalf of these partner agencies. The largest individual commercial seizure this year contained nearly 18 tons of fireworks. That is enough for about half of the fireworks displayed during the Independence Day celebration at the National Mall.

CPSC reports that in 2011 an estimated 9,600 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks related injuries. Nearly half of the emergency room visits were for victims below the age of 20.

“Working together for a unified government response to unsafe products is what CTAC is all about,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner for International Trade Allen Gina. “The successes of CTAC go beyond stopping illegal importations; their actions are preventing injuries and saving lives.”

The CTAC combines the resources and manpower from various government agencies to protect the American public from harm caused by unsafe, imported products by improving communications and information sharing and reducing redundant inspection activities.

For additional information on the CTAC and import safety, please go to the Priority Trade Issues tab on the attached website.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

U.S. Fire Administrator: Stay Safe on the Fourth

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- FEMA’s United States Fire Administration reminds everyone of the dangers associated with fireworks.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), far more U.S. fires are reported on July Fourth than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than any other cause of fires.  The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 – more than twice the risk for the general population.

“Every year around the Fourth of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. “Despite the well-known dangers of fireworks, few people understand that misuse of both legal and illegal fireworks can result in devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.”

In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 fires, including 1,100 total structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 others, according to a June NFPA report. That same year, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries.  In 2011, there were four reported deaths from fireworks.

“With so many areas of the nation experiencing drought-like conditions, I would encourage people to attend a local public display,” said Mitchell.  “Listen to local fire and safety officials for the most current information regarding fireworks in your area.”

If you are going to use legal and locally approved fireworks, follow these safety tips:

 •Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

 •Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Young children suffer injuries from sparklers, for example, which burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

 •Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.

 •Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

 •Never place any part of your body directly over fireworks when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

 •Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.

 •Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.

 •Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

 •Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

 •Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

 •After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

For those seeking more information regarding fireworks in your area, check with local fire officials and visit the following recommended websites:

 •www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12203.html

 •www.usfa.dhs.gov

 •www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=2408&itemID=55435

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.