BORDER NEWS

A Cuban family of five arrived in the Florida Keys on Monday, saying they left Cuba because they could no longer afford medical care for one of their children, who has a heart defect.  In addition, the doctor that had been treating her defected earlier this year.  The child was examined by a doctor in Florida, and will most likely require an operation.  According to a family member already living in Miami, it is possible that the hospital will be able to help pay for her treatment.

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According to recently released INS statistics, the Border Patrol rescued 2,454 undocumented migrants attempting to enter the US during fiscal year 2000, which was October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2000.  This is more than a 100 percent increase from fiscal year 1999, when 1,041 migrants were rescued.  During fiscal year 2000 the number of people who died attempting to cross the border also dramatically increased from the previous year, from 231 to 369.  The INS claims the increased numbers are a result of increased migration from Mexico.  However, immigration advocates disagree, saying that the increase is a result of INS border enforcement programs that drive migrants to isolated areas where they face greater dangers.

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After a 12-day trial and 14 hours of deliberation, a San Diego jury convicted two Border Patrol agents of stealing equipment from Border Patrol vehicles and trading it for other vehicle equipment.  Elwood Ray Keeran and Mark J. Daeumer were also convicted of conspiracy, and now face up to 15 years in prison.  According to prosecutors, the two men stole as much as $267,000 worth of equipment.  Lawyers for the two men plan to appeal the convictions.

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Operation Denial, the INS plan to crackdown on immigrant smuggling begun in August of this year has resulted in thousands of arrests, according to the agency.  The program is centered on the airports in Las Vegas and Phoenix, two locations from which many smuggled immigrants enter the center of the country.  The effort is now being scaled down, but the agency maintains that it did much to disrupt the flow of smuggled immigrants, and also provided the INS with much information about the way smugglers work.  According to the director of the INS in Las Vegas, 5,850 people were arrested as a result of Operation Denial.  He also says that while the effort is now being scaled down, it could return in full force sometime next year.

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A group of ranchers in Texas is planning to launch a volunteer force to patrol the US-Mexico border.  Ranch Rescue, based in Arlington, Texas, has already sent people to the Arizona border where similar patrols were conducted.  The group says that it will be focusing of repairing broken fences and protecting private property, but the participants are also going to be armed.  While some may welcome their efforts, many are opposed, including the District Attorney for Kinney County, where the patrols will be sent.  Many private citizens are also upset by the plans, and maintain that the Border Patrol already does all that is needed in the area.

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