 BORDER NEWS
Canadian police say that over the past few weeks, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants attempting to enter the US by crossing the Niagara River on rafts. They and their US counterparts say smuggling in this area had dropped to nearly zero after September 11th, but it is now returning to “normal” levels. Officials believe there may even be a significant increase in smuggling activity, if people waiting to come to the US have been biding their time in Canada. Most of those smuggled in the area are Asians who entered Canada on its west coast.
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The Mexican government recently announced plans to erect two radio towers topped with powerful strobe lights on the Mexican side of its border with the US. Designed to provide a beacon to migrants who are lost or injured, one beacon will be located in Baja California and the other will be in Sonora. They will be located in areas where migrant deaths have been high, and will be visible for about six miles. The towers will be equipped with shelter, food and water, and will be routinely patrolled by Mexican immigration agents.
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Late one night this week, Border Patrol agents arrested seven men from Costa Rica who had just snuck into the US by crossing an unused railroad bridge over the Niagara River. Officials say the men are lucky to be alive – the bridge is more than 100 yards high. The men say they paid 00 each for help in crossing from Canada to the US.
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