LA could see more Border Patrol agents soon, sector chief says
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As President Donald Trump threatens to deploy National Guard troops to cities like Chicago and Baltimore, Eyewitness News is learning more about the U.S. Border Patrol's possible plans to expand operations in Los Angeles.
Border Patrol El Centro Sector's Chief Gregory Bovino spoke with KMEX-TV about the current operations in Southern California, saying there are more than 40 law enforcement teams - like Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - spread across L.A.
He said there could be more agents on the way.
"I would see more Border Patrol agents coming here into Los Angeles pretty quickly, like within the next week," said Bovino, who stressed the agency's main objective has always been "safer communities" and "a safer America."
"As we look at immigration laws, and immigration law violators here in L.A., one of the things that we note is as we target individuals in areas ... that targeting is something that we rely on to get into those areas to be where we're at in L.A.," said Bovino. "Whether it's Compton or Brentwood or Hollywood or downtown Los Angeles or at a big box store. Those targets are definite, and we know oftentimes who we're going after, why we're going after them, and what their criminal history is. There may be other individuals associated or nearby, and if we run into contacts with an illegal alien, they're going to be arrested because that is the law."
Human rights groups and immigration advocates continue to raise concerns over tactics used by federal agents during its operations.
During Monday's interview, Bovino discussed agents not wearing uniforms during operations and the use of face masks.
"We have a multitude of law enforcement missions to carry out," he said. "Our functions here in Los Angeles and nationwide, whether it's on the border or here in Los Angeles, you see that exact same thing."
"It would be awfully difficult for me to waltz in a parking lot of a big box store, or some location that we're interested in, to conduct surveillance and trying to find someone who's illegal or a criminal or a target that we're looking for if we're in full uniform," he added. "So like any police agency, or any type of a law enforcement function nationwide, it's the same thing with us. We will deploy individuals the way we need to to affect the mission."
Trump defends crime crackdown: 'I'm not a dictator'
Meantime, Trump, at his Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, touted his record on crime amid his federal takeover of Washington and threats to do the same in other major cities.
"The line is that I'm a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, 'You know, if that's the case, I'd rather have a dictator,'" he said. "But I'm not a dictator. I just know how to stop crime."
Trump said the same on Monday, as he discussed how he would prefer local officials to request his help as he discussed the possibility of ordering the National Guard to Chicago.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, in a press conference on Monday responding to Trump's threat, said that the president and the White House are trying to terrorize Democratic-run cities and states through the threat of unwarranted crackdowns.
"This is not about fighting crime. This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state, to try and intimidate his political rivals," Pritzker said, flanked by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and a wide array of Chicago and Illinois elected officials and residents.
Trump on whether he'd send the National Guard to red states: 'Sure'
ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott pressed Trump on whether he would send troops to Republican-led states.
"Mr. President, on the National Guard, you've talked a lot about Democratic-run cities and states. Would you also consider sending the National Guard into red states and red cities that are also seeing high crime?" Scott asked.
"Sure," Trump responded. "But there aren't that many of them."
ABC News contributed to this report.
