The US has continued to operate checkpoints on Interstate 5 near San Onofre, and on Interstate 15 just south of Temecula near Rainbow. The checkpoints are in operation at somewhat "random" times, and when they are in operation, the traffic backs up for miles. Northbound travelers have to sit in stop and go traffic for 10 to 15 minutes. When we finally get to the checkpoint an officer is standing in the center of two lanes waving his arms to allow one car at a time in each lane.
Very rarely does it appear anyone is actually stopped for an immigration check,however when they do, the traffic trapped in that lane have a much longer holdup. It appears that the immigration officers are looking for people who appear to be from other ethnic backgrounds, since I have never been stopped.
The checkpoints are not a secret, and stories have always been around that the actual immigration "smugglers" send pilot cars with cell phones ahead --if the checkpoint is in operation, the smugglers wait until it is shut down. If this is true, then the only people who are inconvenienced is our own citizens who expend so much time sitting in the checkpoint traffic backup.
Homeland Security has never been able to explain the value of these checkpoints. It looks like they require significant resources to operate. Many people are involved with many INS vehicles in the area. If it costs so much, and does so little, why are they there?
