 BORDER NEWS
Last May, attention was focused on the danger of undocumented migration when 14 immigrants died in the desert near Yuma, Arizona. Last week one of the smugglers pled guilty to smuggling charges that could result in a sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors say that this is not likely to be the last person charged, as investigators in both the US and Mexico continue to gather evidence.
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An INS supervisor at the Miami International Airport has been indicted on charges of accepting a ,000 bribe to allow a Colombian woman into the US with a permanent resident stamp in her passport. The indictment also charges Fredy Barragan’s wife and sister-in-law with conspiracy to smuggle immigrants. Barragan, who has worked as a supervisor at the Miami airport since 1997, is being held on 0,000 bond. While the indictment mentions only the incident with the Colombian woman, it does indicate that there may be other incidents. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
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Since security at US ports of entry was increased after September 11th, border officials report apprehending a significantly higher number of wanted criminals and fugitives than before. At the San Ysidro port of entry in California, the busiest in the country, officials report apprehending more than 100 suspects and fugitives. In all of last year, only 500 were stopped at the port.
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