Little of substance was accomplished during last week’s meeting between US and Mexican government officials. The September 11 attacks, combined with the new Congress that will begin next year, make many believe that there will be no immigration reform any time soon. While there may be no meaningful progress on the issue, President Bush continues to say he supports reform. In a videotaped message played at the meeting, Bush said that work continues to develop “creative new policies so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe.” It doesn’t appear that there will be significant changes any time soon, but there may be some minor deals. Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda said his government will stop calling for the “whole enchilada” and will instead settle for agreements dealing with simpler issues, such as a temporary worker program.

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A federal judge this week halted the deportations of eight people to Somalia, saying that their lawyers should be allowed to present their case that it is illegal to deport anyone to Somalia. Civil war has raged in Somalia since 1991, and the country essentially has no government. Advocates for the Somalis argue that because there is no government, the country cannot agree to accept deportees.

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A Mexican national has pled guilty to charges of immigrant smuggling. Alfredo Alvarez Coronado admitted to guiding a group of about 20 immigrants across the border and to a van. The van crashed about 30 miles east of San Diego while speeding down the wrong side of the road. Six people died in the crash. Alvarez faces a minimum of three years in prison. According to his attorney, he agreed to work as a guide to make money to pay off his own smuggling debt.