Obama Tours El Paso Port Of Entry; Glad Bulletproof Vests Seized, Surprised Alfalfa Seeds Also Seized

By Todd J. Gillman / Dallas Morning News (Pool Reporter)

President Bararck Obama spent roughly 15 minutes touring a cargo inspection facility at the Bridge of the Americas , with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Customs and Border Protection commissioner Alan Bersin. Ana Hinojosa, El Paso director of Field Operations for CPB, led the tour.

The tour started at a big truck-sized x-ray machine used to peak into the contents of trucks. The foursome gazed at the bridge, and the huge Mexican flag just a few hundred yards away. With their backs to the pool, it made for an interesting silhouette.

Obama greeted a number of CPB officers, thanking them for their work.

At a table with some contraband that had been intercepted, he pointed to a bulletproof vest. “We don’t want bad guys wearing this,” he said.

There was a nightstick/baton, some fake passports and IDs, gun holsters. Fruit. He asked about a packet that turned out to be alfalfa seed.. “Alfalfa seed? People are trying to smuggle alfalfa seed?” Obama said. An officer explained that such seeds aren’t allowed into the US .

“Well, keep up the great work,” Obama said.

At one point he mentioned that Mexican President Caldern is concerned about southbound guns and cash. Hinojosa said the CBP’s Mexican counterparts can’t screen all incoming vehicles so “we take up a lot of the slack. If it’s illegal? we do our best to stop it.”

That pleased Obama.

“The folks in Mexico need help,” Obama said.

Quick motorcade to the speech site, under the Bridge of the Americas , which had no traffic running. Past a bunch of border patrol agents, including some on horseback that Obama mentioned in his speech (“Actually saw some of em on horseback, who looked pretty tough”)