The number of undocumented immigrants apprehended along the US-Mexico border has increased every day this year, a clear indication that migration patterns have returned to their pre-September 11th ways, with Mexicans who work in the US and visit family in Mexico for the holidays returning to the US .  During the first two weeks of the year, 8,325 people were apprehended, compared to 7,703 last year.  Last January, apprehensions were at a relatively low rate, presumably because fewer people returned to Mexico for the holidays.

*********

Police in Mexico have arrested a man they claim is responsible for locking 11 migrants in a grain car that ended up in an Iowa rail yard, leading to the deaths of all 11.  Officials say that Lorenzo Cuellar de Lira is part of a smuggling ring.

*********

As had been widely rumored would happen, Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda recently tendered his resignation.  Castaneda was frustrated by the lack of progress on immigration issues, with discussions essentially ending after the September 11th terrorist attacks and Washington ’s increasing focus on Iraq .  White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer said that President Bush regrets the impact the attacks have had on immigration.  Observers say that the appointment of Luis Ernesto Derbez, the former finance minister, to fill Casteneda’s position is a clear sign that President Vicente Fox has accepted that Mexico is no longer a top priority for the US, and will pursue resolution of migration issues through small steps, rather than the “whole enchilada” Casteneda wanted.

*********

Rep. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the new chairman of the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus, recently spoke with President Bush and urged him to support a program for the legalization of undocumented workers in the US .  Menendez said such a program would not only improve the situation on the Mexican border, it would also help the economy, promote family reunification and, most importantly, improve national security by allowing a large, essentially underground population to join the mainstream.  Last year the White House did support an extension of Section 245(i), but opposition within Congress blocked the provision.

*********

Two of the Haitians who arrived in the US last year in a dramatic landing in Miami have won their asylum cases, surprising advocates who have complained that the group has not been receiving adequate hearings or access to legal representation.  One of those granted asylum claimed that he and his family were persecuted because of their opposition to the government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.  His family remains in Haiti , but since he has been granted asylum he can petition for them to join him in the US .

*********

Leaders of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents about 9,000 Border Patrol agents, say that thousands of agents are considering leaving their positions because when the Border Patrol is folded into the new Department of Homeland Security, unions will no longer be able to represent agents.  Negotiations over the new department were held up last year because of disagreements over whether employees would be allowed to join unions.  The White House won, and employees will not be unionized, but the government says that unions currently in place will be allowed to remain for one year.  Nonetheless, many agents have been seeking jobs with other law enforcement agencies.

*********

Border Patrol agents in Puerto Rico apprehended 150 citizens of the Dominican Republic during a recent ten-hour period.  Officials who have interviewed the migrants say that they are trying to reach the US before the new Homeland Security Department takes over the INS’s functions, concerned that border security will be increased.  Since October 1, 1,456 migrants have been apprehended attempting to enter Puerto Rico . During the entire 2002 fiscal year, only 838 migrants were apprehended.