Immigration Checkpoints By US Border Patrol In NH, Maine

BANGOR, ME — Federal border patrol agents conducted two immigration checkpoints in New Hampshire and Maine over a recent one-week span, netting six illegal immigrants, according to reports. On Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents held an immigration checkpoint in Bangor, Maine, on Interstate 95. They arrested an immigrant from Haiti who was set for deportation, according to The Bangor Daily News.

On few days earlier from June 15-17, border agents held a weekend-long immigration checkpoint in Woodstock, New Hampshire, on Interstate 93. Five illegal immigrants were arrested, an official said. It was the third immigration checkpoint held in New Hampshire over the last year.

Officials said agents also seized drugs including marijuana, marijuana edibles and marijuana-infused vape oil from motorists.

"Checkpoint operations are a critical enforcement tool for the enforcement of our immigration laws and are a part of our defense in depth strategy," customs Agent Robert Garcia said in a statement. "In addition to technology, manpower and intelligence, checkpoints help to deny access to major routes of egress away from the border and into our communities in the interior of the U.S."

The recent New Hampshire and Maine checkpoints were held within 100 miles of the Canadian border. Federal law allows border agents to patrol within 100 miles of the country's borders.

A man who went through the recent New Hampshire checkpoint called it a "stupid waste of time" in a tweet.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire called the Woodstock checkpoint "an embarrassment to our state" that "violated the Fourth Amendment" regarding unreasonable search and seizure.

Border patrol officials told CNN the New Hampshire and Maine checkpoints were aimed at "smuggling organizations."

Officials released this statement to CNN about motorists' rights during checkpoints:

"Travelers have the right to remain silent. Travelers who cooperate are passed through quickly, unless the agent suspects they are in violation of federal law. Travelers who refuse to cooperate may be referred to a secondary examination area to allow agents to conduct additional questioning to determine the traveler's citizenship or residency."

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Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducts an immigration checkpoint on Interstate 93 in New Hampshire in May 2018. (Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)