NEWS BYTES People in Arizona are campaigning on both sides of the bilingual education issue. A group called English for the Children recently submitted a petition with 165,000 signatures calling for an end to the state’s 30 year-old bilingual education program. They say that it prevents children from learning English, thus putting them at a disadvantage later in life. Supports of bilingual education say parents should have the choice of how to education their children.
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A dozen girls from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh are being flown to the US to give testimony in the case against Lakkireddy Bali Reddy. He has been charged with fraud and importing girls to the US to work cheaply. He has also been accused of using some girls for sexual purposes. The INS was recently in India where it contacted the girls. Reddy is also under investigation by the Indian government.
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The INS office in San Diego is searching for almost $200,000 in missing equipment. A routine inventory check of older equipment has turned into an equipment hunt as much of the equipment has not been found since the inventory began in March. According to the INS officer in charge in San Diego, the items are probably not missing, only misplaced.
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The state of New Jersey this week announced that it would provide a $1 million grant for restoration work on Ellis Island. The money, which will be matched by a $1 million grant from the National Park Service, will be used to restore the Baggage and Dormitory Building. Ellis Island was the entry point for more than 12 million immigrants during the early 20th century. While the Main Building has been restored and is now a museum, the other buildings are in a state of near ruin.
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Congressional members from Washington State have written a letter to INS Commissioner Doris Meissner protesting the transfer of Border Patrol agents and equipment from the Washington border with Canada to the southern border. Last week the INS moved a number of agents from Washington to the southern border to assist in rescue efforts of migrants at risk because of the extreme heat.
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Trial began this week in Arkansas in the case of five people accused of smuggling Chinese women to the US for sexual purposes. Among the defendants are a former television executive and a former state representative. According to the charges against them, they are accused of conducted a six-year conspiracy designed to bring women in to have sexual relationships with the television executive. He is also accused of having nonconsensual sex with one of the women. < Back | Next > Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. | 
