Did Tucson Border Sector Chief Michael Nicely engage in a cover up to make the Minuteman Project look bad? The April 18, 2005 article "Border Patrol agents in Arizona face increased confrontations" from Chris Strom of Government Executive magazine included this:

...The Border Patrol has reported reduced illegal immigration activity near the Minuteman posts. But Nicely does not favor efforts such as the Minuteman Project. He said the decreased activity is the result of Border Patrol operations and the presence of Mexican authorities on the other side of the border...

Now, see this unconfirmed report: "Tucson Border Patrol Chief Orders Illegal Border Crossing Cover-Up".