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BORDER NEWS
In a move that has met with wide approval in immigrant advocacy circles, the INS has decided not initiate removal proceedings or execute removal orders against Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who may be eligible for relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act and the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act.  While the time to apply for benefits under these laws expired on March 31, 2000, Congress is currently considering legislative that would extend the application period.  Therefore, the Service will delay moving against people who would benefit under these laws. 
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Last week immigration inspectors at the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport apprehended 36 undocumented immigrants who entered the US on a plane from Mexico City.  According to Fred Alexander, the INS District Director in Atlanta, the 36 people were part of a smuggling scheme.  He also noted that this method of smuggling is growing increasingly popular because of falling ticket prices. 
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Sheriffs and INS officials in southwestern Colorado stopped three vehicles carrying a total of 59 undocumented immigrants in one night last week.  A state trooper pulled over a van after seeing it drive erratically.  After the passengers refused to answer questions, he called the INS, and when agents were there, they saw another van commit a traffic violation.  When they pulled this van over, they discovered more people.  While these people were being questioned, agents saw a third van commit another traffic violation, and when it was stopped, discovered more people.  Since the INS increased it presence in southwest Colorado last October, it has apprehended more than 1000 undocumented migrants. 
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Forty-one undocumented immigrants were discovered in an abandoned house just north of the US-Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona.  Douglas police and Border Patrol agents found them locked in the house after checking on a report that there were abandoned children in the house.  As it turned out, while there were some children in the house, their parents accompanied them.  
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An Algerian national, Bouabide Chemmach, who was arrested in Vermont last winter during the northern border terrorism scare has pled guilty to conspiring to enter the US without permission.  He was traveling with Lucia Garafalo, who prosecutors linked to what they call a vast terrorism scheme to disrupt new year’s celebrations.  Garofalo has since been cleared of all terrorism charges, and she pled guilty to minor immigration violations.  She is to be sentenced next month.  Chemmach was never linked to any terrorist organization.