Since the National Security Entry Exit System went into effect on September 11, 2002, 179 people have been arrested after being processed through the system.  According to Attorney General John Ashcroft, those arrested fell into three categories:  convicted felons who fled the US, people with serious criminal histories outside the US, and people attempting to enter the US under false pretenses.  The NSEERS system targets nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Sudan for additional screening, including fingerprinting and checking those prints against INS and FBI databases.  However, the 179 people arrested were from 112 different countries.  This is possible because the NSEERS rules allow INS inspectors to require anyone to submit to the additional background check, not only those from the five designated countries. 

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US fighter jets this week escorted a biplane carrying eight Cubans, including one child, as it landed at an airport in Key West, Florida.

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The director fo the San Luis port of entry in Arizona was arrested this week on charges of bribery, possession of a controlled substance and misuse of immigration documents after FBI agents saw her trade four immigration documents for 30 vials of the prescription drug Temgesic, a painkiller.  According to Lisa Stubbs’ husband, she is addicted to the drug, but rules governing federal employees made it impossible for her to come forward and seek help. 

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In a recent interview, Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), who is expected to be the Senate Majority Leader in the 108^th Congress next year, expressed his support for the use of military troops in patrolling US borders.  Many observers are concerned that the comments reflect what will be stronger anti-immigrant sentiments among the Republican Party following its victory in the recent elections. 

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A Border Patrol agent was placed on administration leave this week after firing his gun at a group of undocumented immigrants threw rocks at him while he attempted to stop another group of migrants.  Placing agents on leave in situations like this is standard procedure while the agency conducted an internal review. 

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Two of the Haitian migrants detained after their dramatic landing in Miami late last month have been released on bond, but it is unlikely that any of the others will receive a similar benefit as the two released were pregnant women.  Immigration judges approved bond for most of the other detainees, but the INS is appealing the decisions, meaning that the detainees will remain in INS custody.  The INS has also instituted a new expedited removal policy that will apply to anyone arriving in the US by sea without documentation.  While the announcement of the new policy was accompanied by statements that it is necessary for national security, many advocates believe it was implemented specifically to deflect criticism of the detention of Haitians.  Significant migration from Haiti continues even as the US makes clear that it will continue detaining all undocumented Haitians.  This week the Coast Guard announced that it intercepted two boats carrying 238 Haitians.