INS INCREASES EFFORTS TO PREVENT SMUGGLING Every summer, hundreds of people die from heat related illnesses while attempting to enter the US illegally. This year is the worst on record, with over 230 deaths. The INS has been trying to develop methods of convincing people that the risky border crossing is not worth it. A recent near tragedy has provided a new way.
During a recent rescue of two people abandoned by smugglers in the middle of the Arizona, desert Border Patrol agents used video cameras to recount the men’s story for use in public service announcements aimed a potential migrants and their family in the US who would pay smugglers.
For the past two years, the INS has been producing graphic TV spots that show the bodies of people who died attempting to enter, as well as spots featuring family members of those who have died. This recent one, however, is the first to feature stories from the migrants themselves. The program is also being expanded, with the announcements being broadcast across the country in places where there are a large number of Hispanic residents. The program is also being exported to other countries, such as China, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, where there is a lot of smuggling.
While INS critics contend that the increasing deaths are the result of US border policy, which has forced migrants to attempt crossing in more isolated areas, they applaud the effort to inform people about the grave risks of crossing the border. Both advocates and the agency know that the effort will not end smuggling or unauthorized border crossings, but they hope that it will save some lives. Advocates would also like to see the INS rethink Operation Gatekeeper, the border strategy that has squeezed migrant traffic into remote deserts, but instead the INS has begun a series of classes to train agents in rescue techniques. It has also launched Operation Skywatch, which uses planes and helicopters to search the desert for stranded migrants.
Another part of the anti-smuggling initiative is a series of public service announcements scheduled to run on Mexican television and radio stations this month. The ads were co-produced by the INS and the Mexican government, the first time there has been such a joint effort. Officials in both countries hope that such cooperation will help diffuse tensions that other recent border events have caused. < 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. | 
