BORDER NEWS

The murder trial of four New York City police officers accused of gunning down Amadou Diallo, an immigrant from West Guinea, has begun in Albany, New York.  The shooting, which occurred almost one year ago, sparked many protests, with a number of civil rights leaders claiming that racial discrimination was a major factor in the incident. 

*********

As security along the southern border grows increasingly tight, immigrants take more and more desperate measures to enter the US.  One of the most dangerous ways to enter the US is by swimming the New River, which runs from Mexicali, Mexico, across the border to Calexico, California, and then into the California desert.  What makes this river so dangerous, apart from the strong currents, is that it is one of the most polluted rivers in the US.  The river is full of toxic chemicals, and swallowing the river water can make a person seriously ill.  Despite the danger, it is becoming a popular crossing point – already this year over 100 people have entered the US by swimming the river. 

*********

January was the busiest month on record for the Tucson Sector of the Border Patrol, with over 70,000 apprehensions.  The previous record was 60,537 apprehensions in March 1999.  The Tucson Sector covers almost the entire Arizona border, about 300 miles in all.  Within the sector, Douglas was the busiest station, with over 30,000 apprehensions. 

********

Last weekend, five Indian nationals, all adherents of the Sikh religion, were arrested after illegally crossing the border in Arizona.  They have requested an asylum hearing, claiming they will be subjected to persecution because of their religious beliefs if forced to return to India. 

*********