The El Paso Times reported last week that Border Patrol has recorded the fifth immigration-related death this month for a person traveling through the El Paso sector of the U.S. - Mexico border. Officials believe that this route is used in many alien smuggling rings.

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A Mexican man was waiting at US-Mexico border town Naco, Sonora, for his ride to Arizona when several men pulled up in a vehicle and severely beat him.  His sister, who witnessed the attack, told officials at the Mexican consulate, that when the vehicle pulled up, they assumed it was their ride.  The men in the car demanded money from the pair and made threats against the sister.  When the brother protested, the driver pulled over and the group beat him severely and robbed him.  He recovered in a state-owned hospital.

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Five border-crossers were injured in a crash last week when the truck they were riding in rolled over.  The injured people did not get immediate medical attention, because they hid themselves after the wreck to avoid being seen by authorities.  When an area resident called the sheriff’s department to report several people on his property, the people were discovered and treated for their injuries. 

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Last week, the Office of the Press Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of its Registered Traveler Pilot Program.  The program seeks to alleviate the screening process for certain frequent travelers while maintaining tight security.  Participating airlines will recruit volunteers in certain markets who fly at least weekly.  These frequent flyers will impart their identifying information to TSA, including biometric finger and iris imprints.  After obtaining security clearances, these individuals will be able to pass directly through a Registered Traveler lane at the airport, where a finger or iris scan will confirm their registrations.  They will then undergo only primary screening, bypassing secondary screening in most cases.

Northwest Airlines will implement the program at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport later this month, followed by additional airlines operating in Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, and Washington D.C. by the end of the summer.  Unisys Corporation of Reston, VA and EDS of Herdon, VA contracted with TSA to provide program management, biometrics, tactical operations, and systems integration. 

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A press release issued this week by the Public Affairs division of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) invited the media to download b-roll footage via satellite feed for a pilot project, the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP).  This program is billed by officials as an efficient and innovative way to confirm that aliens released from custody show up at immigration hearings and comply with court orders.

The ISAP is to begin on June 21, 2004 in eight ICE locations that include Baltimore, Miami, St. Paul, Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon.  Up to 200 aliens will be monitored by one of the following methods: electronic monitoring devices; home visits; work visits; or reporting by telephone in each of the eight cities. 

To be eligible for this program an alien must be an adult with a confirmed identity who does not pose a threat to the community or national security.  Also, only aliens who are not subject to mandatory detention, who have pending immigration court proceedings, or are awaiting removal on a final order of removal and who will be residing within the managed area are eligible for this program.  This is a voluntary program and all aliens must agree to comply with the conditions of their release.