Sheriff Babeu: Border agents aren't assigned to high-traffic areas

Border Patrol agents are joining forces with Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and they're accusing the Obama administration of tying their hands when it comes to doing their jobs.

"These are the cops, these are the men and women who swore an oath to protect our country. These are our cops at the border and this administration has literally handcuffed them from doing their job," said Babeu.

The sheriff, who was joined by members of the National Border Patrol Council, harshly criticized the administration, saying it is ignoring U.S. law.

Agents say they are kept away from patrolling busy smuggling corridors so apprehension numbers are low and are told to release illegal immigrants they do encounter and not track them.

"It's more along the lines of see something, do nothing. That's not what our agents believe in," said Border Patrol agent Chris Cabrera.

The council's president, Brandon Judd, says the orders come directly from supervisors to the agents.

"It's also telling criminals we're not going to enforce the law, which makes our job more dangerous. It's also frustrating because agents took an oath to enforce the laws and now they're being ordered not to enforce the laws."

"We need to enforce the laws that are on our books. They are there for a reason.. policy should not supersede the law," said Cabrera.

These orders would have come from the Washington offices.

We've reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and were told locally, they do not have a statement at the moment, and a response is being coordinated on a national level. We're waiting for that response and we'll let you know what they say.