BORDER NEWS

An immigration inspector recently pled guilty to taking about ,000 in bribes to allow drugs and undocumented immigrants to enter the US.  Jose Antonio Olvera told the judge that he accepted the bribes only after smugglers threatened to kidnap his son, but his attorney prevented him from saying more until he is sentenced later this year.  Along with the bribery charge, Olvera also pled guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to import two tons of marijuana.  As part of the plea agreement, Olvera faces no more than eight years in prison.

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According to Mexican officials, the US deported 47,219 Mexican citizens during the first four months of 2001.  This is a ten percent increase from 2000.

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Police in Cadiz, Kentucky have apprehended 68 undocumented immigrants this year, including 16 following a recent investigation of a suspected robbery at a local hotel.  Two people, one undocumented immigrant and one US citizen, were arrested on charges of immigrant smuggling.  The smuggled immigrants will be questioned to see if their testimony is needed at trial.

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A Mexican national who was driving a van transporting undocumented immigrants that crashed in Colorado in early 2000 was sentenced to ten years in prison this week.  The van rolled while going more than 90 miles an hour, throwing the 18 passengers from the vehicle.  Two people died on the scene, and another died a day later. 

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Prosecutors in Arizona have agreed to reopen an investigation into the fatal shooting of an undocumented immigrant by a Border Patrol agent last March.  The decision came after a meeting with representatives from the Mexican Consulate in Tucson.  Three weeks ago the investigation had been closed after it was determined that the agent did not have criminal intent.  The agent admits the shooting, but says his gun went off by accident during a struggle.

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Border Patrol agents near Douglas, Arizona apprehended 122 undocumented immigrants last weekend.  Earlier this month a group of 100 immigrants was detained in the same area.  According to the immigrants, they were brought to the border in a tractor-trailer rig and then crossed on foot.