The U.S. Border Patrol revealed the location of a new substation in the rural boot heel of New Mexico.
The new substation will be built on a 10 acre plot of land 20 miles north of the border, according to Border Patrol spokesman Doug Moiser. The site near Animas was chosen for strategic, economic and environmental reasons, he said on Friday.
Many residents of this southwest corner of New Mexico had hoped the new substation would be within eyesight of illegal border crossers. Currently, border patrol agents have to drive two hours from the main station in Lordsburg to reach the border.
Local residents, like farm wife Sheila Massey, say illegal traffic has resulted in theft and property damage.
“When Arizona and Texas tightened their security, it funnels all the traffic through the boot heel of New Mexico,” she said. “And all of that traffic comes right up through our farms and our ranches and our homes.”
The new substation will have a heliport, horse corrals and house up to 16 agents. Construction will begin immediately and the building is expected to be completed within four to six months.
