Border Patrol steps up immigration checkpoints in New Hampshire

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has plans to continue setting up immigration checkpoints along I-93 in New Hampshire.

So far this year, Border Patrol agents have conducted several immigration checkpoints along I-93, including a three day operation conducted between August 20 and 23 in Lincoln, New Hampshire.

No arrests were made during the August immigration checkpoint operations in part because of bad weather, but a similar operation conducted back in May netted 22 immigration-related arrests. A June immigration checkpoint led to five arrests.

More checkpoints are planned for the rest of the year.

Some have complained about traffic backups caused by the checkpoints.

According to the Concord Monitor, the immigration checkpoints were a once a year affair prior to 2017, but increased Border Patrol funding under the Trump administration has allowed agents to increase enforcement activities.

Stopped by Border PAtrol on I 93 in Woodstock NH. What a stupid waste of time for everybody pic.twitter.com/wu1c7OCk8D

— tom stone (@tastone99) June 16, 2018

Border Patrol is allowed to conduct enforcement activities as far away as 100 miles from the U.S. border.

Similar immigration checkpoints have also been reported on I-95 in Maine, according to the New York Times.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging the constitutionality of the immigration checkpoints. The ACLU of New Hampshire writes “For a state that prides itself on being welcoming to all, these checkpoints tell a very different story, one of discrimination and dismissal of our constitutional rights and values. As Americans, we are at risk of losing our fundamental rights and freedoms — including the right to simply go about our business free from government interference, harassment, and abuse.”