CBP Honors Fallen Lancaster Native and Border Patrol Agent Michael Gallagher During National Police Week

(Tuesday, May 17, 2011)

Philadelphia - An alleged drunk driver prematurely ended the life of Border Patrol agent Michael V. Gallagher, a Lancaster, Pa., native, while he was on duty last year in Arizona. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection ensured that others will honor his legacy for quite some time after inscribing his name on the CBP Valor Memorial at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Friday.

click for hi-res Fallen Lancaster native and Border Patrol agent Michael Gallagher honored by CBP during National Police Week

CBP etched Gallagher’s name and the names of six others -- Border Patrol agents Nathaniel A. Afolayan, Trena R. McLaughlin, Mark F. Van Duren and Bryan A. Terry, and CBP officers Charles F. Collins II and John R. Zykas -- to the agency’s Valor Memorial during ceremonies recognizing National Police Week. They joined the names of 210 other CBP officers and agents who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The CBP Valor Memorial honors those CBP uniformed officers and agents who are killed in the line of duty or who pass away as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. These individuals are united in death, as in life, by their sworn oath to defend the Constitution of the U.S. and to protect the nation against all enemies.

“Today – as always – we honor the courage and selfless sacrifice of the individuals whose names are etched on this valor memorial,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “May their legacy of distinguished service to our nation be forever remember and continue to inspire all of us charged with protecting our homeland.”

On September 2, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Gallagher was killed after being struck by an alleged drunk driver on Federal Route 19 on the Tohono O’Odham Reservation. This area is near Casa Grande, Arizona.

The collision caused agent Gallagher’s vehicle to overturn multiple times; due to the impact, his body was ejected from the vehicle. The driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and numerous other charges.

Agent Gallagher was a member of the 794th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station within the Tucson Sector. He is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, father, step-mother, step-father and two sisters.

Every day, without fanfare or special praise, CBP officers, Border Patrol agents, Marine Interdiction agents and agriculture specialists serve and protect our nation. These brave law-enforcement officers exemplify CBP’s core values of vigilance, service to country and integrity -- the very best of America.

The stories of the sacrifices made by these officers, agents and others in CBP’s history are located in the “In Memoriam” site. (In Memoriam )

Still photos of Customs and Border Protection's National Police Week activities, including the CBP Valor Memorial ceremony for the families of the fallen, are located on CBP's Flickr page. ( Flickr )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Arrests Brazilian and Dominican Aliens After Landing in Cabo Rojo

CBP Arrests Brazilian and Dominican Aliens After Landing in Cabo RojoThree Alien Citizens of Brazil Arrested Along With Four From Dominican Republic
(Monday, May 16, 2011)
contacts for this news release


Aguadilla, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested four aliens who landed yesterday in the Combate Beach in the southwestern coast of the island.

The Puerto Rico Police Department FURA officers detained the four aliens, four citizens of the Dominican Republic and 3 undocumented Brazilian nationals, and located a 22’ fiberglass white and blue boat with two outboard engines.

Ramey Sector Border Patrol agents arrested the aliens and transported them to Aguadilla for processing.

Ailton Ferreira-Carvalho, 36, a citizen of Brazil, faces prosecution for charges to Title 8 United States Code, Section 1326, for re-entering the U.S. after a previous deportation.

The prosecuted alien will make an initial appearance tomorrow before a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge.

CBP in collaboration with state and local law enforcement works to address all threats at our nation’s borders.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Advise Travelers To Prepare For a Busy Holiday Weekend

(Tuesday, May 17, 2011)
contacts for this news release


Buffalo, New York- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations reminds travelers planning cross border trips over the next two Holiday weekends (Victoria Day - May 20-23 and Memorial Day - May 27-30) to make sure they have the proper documents and to plan for a possible increase in traffic. CBP officials want to inform the traveling public that there are a number of steps that can be taken to facilitate their arrival into the United States.

Travelers should check traffic conditions at the four border crossings within the Buffalo/Niagara region and select the crossing that is least congested. Travelers can easily obtain current border traffic conditions by calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll free number at (800) 715-6722 or by visiting any of the following websites: www.cbp.gov, cbsa-asfc.gc.ca, nittec.org, peacebridge.com, or niagarafallsbridges.com. ( www.cbp.gov ) ( cbsa-asfc.gc.ca ) ( nittec.org ) (peacebridge.com ) ( niagarafallsbridges.com )

Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP Web site and consult the border wait times page (Know Before You Go) (Wait Times - Airport and Border). Wait time information is updated hourly and is useful in identifying periods of light traffic/short waits. Travelers should have their approved travel documents available for inspection and be prepared to declare all items acquired outside, or being imported into, the U.S.

In compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented June 1, 2009, all travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, need to present an approved travel document to enter the U.S. by land and sea. These documents include a valid Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License. Children under the age of 16 can present an original or copy of their birth certificate. Please visit the WHTI Web site for additional information ( getyouhome.gov ) .

WHTI compliant, RFID enabled documents help reduce the time it takes to process travelers at the border. No personal identification information is stored on the RFID chip embedded in the cards – only a series of ones and zeros that points to information in a secure CBP database. WHTI document requirements for air travel have been in effect since January 2007.

WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

CBP strongly encourages travelers to obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled travel document such as a U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES) to expedite their entry and make crossing the border more efficient.

CBP also reminds U.S. lawful permanent residents that the I-551 form (green card) is acceptable for land and sea travel into the U.S.

Frequent cross-border travelers are encouraged to participate in the NEXUS program, which allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to proceed with little or no delay into the United States and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency website at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca and travelers can apply online at www.cbp.gov. Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free at 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726). ( cbsa-asfc.gc.ca ) ( www.cbp.gov )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.