BORDER NEWS Bounty hunters in Denver made an unexpected discovery while searching an apartment – a large-scale green card counterfeiting operation. INS agents were called, and they are continuing their investigation.
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INS agents in the Florida Keys picked up 29 Cuban nationals on July 4. According to the person who called the INS, the migrants were dropped off by two men in a boat. When the INS arrived, they found 14 men, 10 women and five children walking across the island. Each appeared to be in good health. Because they made it to land, they will be allowed to apply for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
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The father of a young man who was fatally shot by a Texas rancher who allegedly shot him after he asked for some water is suing the rancher for $15 million dollars. According to the suit, the ranchers, Samuel Blackwood, shot the migrant in the back and left him to die. Blackwood has also been charged by US authorities. He was initially charged with murder, but a grand jury reduced the charge to deadly conduct, which is punishable by two to ten years in prison.
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Douglas, Arizona, mayor Ray Borane has finally received a response to his letter to President Clinton in which he asked that the administration rethink its current border policy. According to Borane, however, the response was an “insult.” The response came from the deputy chief of the Border Patrol, and outlined the administration’s approach to controlling the border. In a response letter to Clinton, Borane criticized the President for his failure “to mention or acknowledge the labor issue due to our economy’s heave dependent on the Mexican labor force and the human tragedy perpetuated by your administration’s current policy.” Despite Borane’s concerns, which are echoed by many others along the border, it is doubtful that there will be any rethinking of current US border policy.
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According to authorities, increased patrols along the Arizona-Mexico border have decreased tensions between residents and migrants. However, some residents say the situation is still at a boiling point. The sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, which covers much of the border, and the chief of the Tucson sector of the Border Patrol recently met with Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) and told the Senator the recent media coverage of the area has made the situation seem worse than it is. Kyl said he will seek $5 million in emergency appropriations for the state of Arizona, and will continue his push for 1000 new Border Patrol agents to be hired. Congress has so far approved only 430.
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Border Patrol agents say they have uncovered a smuggling scheme on the Mexican border in which immigrants unlawfully entered the US disguised as a bicycling team. Agents say the scheme was successful for about a year, during which time small groups of riders have entered at Laredo, Texas about twice a week. Smugglers loaned the bikes to the migrants, who paid about $1,500. The smugglers would pick the bikes and riders up north of the border checkpoint.
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