People would die to get into this country.

On Tuesday, four people were injured in San Diego and the busiest border crossing was closed to the northbound traffic for hours do to a shoot out from federal agents. Federal agents took into custody seventy four people that were crammed into three vans trying to make it into the United States illegally. A San Diego spokesman, Lt. Kevin Rooney stated that the exact details of the situation are still unclear. He also stated that the drivers of the vans tried to storm past the inspectors at the San Ysidro port of entry that connects San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. The drivers were trying to make their way in without stopping.

There were three vans and they all got in the same lane. The driver of the first van gave his license to the agent. As the agent leaned back in the booth to check his license, all three of the vans quickly drove into the United States side. They then got stuck in traffic where the encountered three agents that were firing from all different directions. Three of the four people were injured by gunfire while the fourth person was injured because the lead van crashed into their vehicle. Only one shooting victim was still in critical condition where as the others were expected to recover fine.

The shooting commenced over nine of the twenty four northbound traffic lanes. The entire northbound lanes were closed after the shooting at 3:30 p.m. This created a massive traffic jam since there are about 40,000 vehicles that enter the U.S. using this border crossing. Motorists were told to go through Tijuana’s crowded streets to the only other border crossing leading to San Diego at Otay Mesa that is about 5 miles to the east of the bigger crossing. Eight of the lanes were allowed to reopen around 7:30 p.m. One motorist stated that he took his driver about an hour to travel the 5 miles before he was allowed to cross at a pedestrian crossing.

I read this story and all I could think about was “man what people will do to get into this country”. I understand that our country is great and all but risk getting killed is not the way. They are ways to get into this country legally. I feel some people just don’t want to take the time and do it the right way. If they would do it the right way they would be here free and clear. They wouldn’t have to worry about getting deported or getting caught trying to sneak into this country. They have to know since 9/11 that the government has stepped up security at the borders as well as airports. I just wonder what was going through these peoples’ minds; did they honestly think they would get away with it. And even if they made it into the country they would have eventually been caught and sent back. I understand why people want to come to this country but at least put forth the effort and do it the legal way and get to stay.