Neugebauer dislikes decision to close Border Patrol offices in Abilene, elsewhere

ABILENE, Texas -

Congressman Randy Neugebauer and other West Texas lawmakers don't agree with the decision to close six border patrol stations in Texas, including one in Abilene.

U.S. congressional leaders in Texas aren't OK with the decision and want border patrol enforcement to stay in our area and not just on the border.

Congressman Randy Neugebauer, Mac Thornberry and Michael Conaway have written a letter to the chief of the US Border Patrol.

They said at the very least, they want more time to look over why the offices are being closed in places that just aren't on the border.

The U.S. Border Patrol station in Abilene employs two people and will be closing its doors, but political leaders said it's crucial to have law enforcement in multiple locations.

KTXS spoke to Congressman Randy Neugebauer via satellite.

"Border security is just not about securing the border, but also once people slip through the border it's making sure we have an interior enforcement," Neugebauer said.

Texas Border Patrol officials said once illegal immigrants cross the border many are found and detained in our area.

"Abilene, Lubbock and San Angelo and those other stations have been arresting a lot of people who enter this country illegally," Neugebauer said. "We've asked border patrol to give us an analysis of why (they're) doing this and what was the basis for the decision."

Neugebauer said the change could trickle down and affect local law enforcement in Taylor County and Abilene.

"It certainly could be because they've been used to working hand-in-hand -- and it's an overall collaborative effort," Neugebauer said.

The U.S. Border Patrol's plan is to shut down those nine stations around the U.S. over the next six months.

According to the Amarillo and Lubbock border patrol stations, they detained 638 illegal immigrants this year alone.

In 2011, each agent at the four stations had an average of 142 illegal immigrants detained.