TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – A report has found that the U.S. Border Patrol makes a low number of immigrant arrests at its various inland checkpoints in Arizona.
The report came amid growing opposition to the checkpoints, including a lawsuit filed by residents of a small Arizona town who say agents racially profile and deny citizens their rights during encounters.
The agency has been secretive about how many arrests and seizures are made at its 11 checkpoints within the Tucson Sector. But the ACLU sued and obtained limited data showing that less than 1 percent of overall apprehensions happen at checkpoints. The Tucson Sector comprises nearly all of Arizona.
The Border Patrol has said checkpoints are crucial to stopping human and drug smuggling. It said in a statement Thursday that it can’t comment on ongoing litigation.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.