Desert Duty: On the Line with the U.S. Border Patrol

by Bill Broyles, Mark Haynes, Charles Bowden (Introduction)

While politicians and pundits endlessly debate immigration policy, U.S. Border Patrol agents put their lives on the line to enforce immigration law. In a day's work, agents may catch a load of narcotics, apprehend groups of people entering the country illegally, and intercept a potential terrorist. Their days often include rescuing aliens from death by thirst or murder by border bandits, preventing neighborhood assaults and burglaries, and administering first aid to accident victims, and may involve delivering an untimely baby or helping stranded motorists. As Bill Broyles and Mark Haynes sum it up, "Border Patrol is a hero job," one that too often goes unrecognized by the public. Desert Duty puts a human face on the Border Patrol. It features interviews with nineteen active-duty and retired agents who have worked at the Wellton, Arizona, station that watches over what is arguably the most perilous crossing along the border—a sparsely populated region of the Sonoran Desert with little water and summer temperatures that routinely top 110°F. The agents candidly discuss the rewards and frustrations of holding the line against illegal immigrants, smugglers, and other criminals—while often having to help the very people they are trying to thwart when they get into trouble in the desert. As one agent explains, "The thrill is tracking 'em up before they die. It's a rough ol' way to go—run outta water in this desert."

Genres: Immigration

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Marieta Grissom]

Nineteen Border Patrol Agents were interviewed to share their stories in this book. Their experiences are interesting and enlightening. It is so unfortunate that politicians and their politics play such a critical role in the lives of human beings; immigrants seeking a better future for themselves and their families.

I had not realized exactly what Agents are responsible for in the law enforcement community. I also had not realized how many agents are pilots. With a copyright of 2010, I wonder in 2024 if drones are a part of the arsenal of tools available for agents to use. I hope so.

"Sign cutting" was entirely new terminology for me. Wow, do I admire the people who can do it!

I can't imagine the emotional toll of finding bodies of people, especially children, who did not make it across the desert. How desperate the people must be who risk their lives for a better future!

Thank you to the authors for sharing these stories.

[David Grissom]

What do you know about the Border Patrol and the people who are the Border Patrol?
With all the immigration talk going on in Congress and over the presidential election you need to get the perspective of the men & women who work the borders. This book takes the area from Yuma, Arizona to 40 miles east of Lukeville, Arizona from the border to Gila Bend and is run out of Wellton Station. An area of 7995 sq miles. Thru the use of tracking, sensors, air planes and just plain luck these men and women, save lives, catch aliens, drug and people smugglers. This is a first hand account by the men & women who have spent their entire years of service in the Border Patrol, if hurt they would bleed green.

[Ethan]

Great book. Shows this weird juxtaposition of a tactical border patrol agent and their additional role as a humanitarian. Interesting read.