The U.S. Border Patrol in San Diego has announced new adjustments to its border enforcement operations. Among the key changes is the expansion of interior checkpoints across the county—some located more than 100 miles from the border—on major routes such as Highways 8, 15, and 5. According to Agent Gerardo Gutiérrez, this new strategy adds “another layer of protection” now made possible by decreased migration pressure.

The agency also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for those crossing illegally. Repeat offenders could face criminal charges and be sent to detention centers far from the border, including Mexico City, marking a shift away from immediate deportations to border cities like Tijuana or El Chaparral.

“We’re no longer returning people right across the border. Now, they’re being sent directly to the center of Mexico,” explained Agent Esteffany Solano. This new strategy of interior deportation is already being felt in Mexico City, according to testimonies like that of Rodrigo Álvarez, a local resident.

So far in the current fiscal year, 15 migrants have died attempting to cross into the United States. Despite daily operations that result in the detention of 20 to 40 individuals, authorities insist that racial profiling is not a factor in stops or arrests.

“If we are detaining someone, it’s because there is reasonable suspicion that the person entered the United States illegally,” Agent Gutiérrez clarified.

Border Patrol officials emphasized continued collaboration with other agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the State Department, and especially the Mexican government, which they called a key ally in helping to deter dangerous crossings and prevent further tragedies—such as the death of four migrants in La Jolla on May 11.