The United States Border Patrol is calling off other law enforcement agencies guarding the Rio Grande Valley border amid the spike of illegal immigrants crossing the area.

The Rio Grande Valley used to be monitored by the U.S. Border Patrol alone, but due to the surge of illegal immigrants in the region, National Guardsmen, state troopers and armed civilian militia members wearing camouflage clothing are now deployed in the area as well.

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Communication between the different patrolling agents has been fragmented, and a  friendly fire incident between members of the civilian militia earlier this week finally urged the Border Patrol to  insist that patrolling the border be left to the professionals.

Communication and coordination between the different agencies patrolling the border have been especially difficult because of their use of  different types of radio equipment, which makes field communication more challenging.

In response to the challenge in coordination of the entities, representatives of the groups created a 24/7 command center, and the Border Patrol is briefed regarding the presence of other agents prior to going to the field to avoid conflict and surprises.

The involvement of heavily armed civilian militia members has further complicated the situation in Rio Grande, with residents saying that an increase in number of armed men in the area is more of a threat.

Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Chief Kevin Oaks said that it is "more dangerous having more armed (non-law enforcement) men in the field."

Oaks added that there are several members of the cartel who smuggl people into the area wears the same camouflage clothes as the civilian militias. "They may look very similar, and we do not know who they are."

Following the spike of illegal immigrants in the area, Texas Rep. Rick Perry dispatched nearly 1,000 guardsmen, Texas' Public Safety department sent more troopers and the Border Patrol deployed more agents in the Rio Grande Valley.

According to reports, about US$1.3million is spent on state troopers per week and nearly US$12 million is spent on guardsmen in a month.

Tagsillegal immigrants, rio grande valley, U.S. Border Patrol