BORDER IMMIGRATION

by Ana Vinas, Staff Writer-Translator

RENO ADVISED ON PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS' HUMAN RIGHTS

The U.S. Justice Department received recommendations on how to improve human rights protection for arrested illegal immigrants. The 19 recommendations were presented to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno by INS-sponsored commission Consejo Consultor Ciudadano (CAP) on November 4 during an Immigration and Naturalization Service meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The advice included suggestions on how to better Border Patrol agents' capacity and professionalism. The advice also included ways to increase efficiency in the procedures for reporting abuse against immigrants. Even though the number of reported abuse cases has generally reduced, there is still systematic mistreatment, especially in the border area between San Diego and Tijuana, according to CAP.

CAP was started in April 1995 in order to ensure human rights protection by direct communication to immigration authorities. The agency, which is officially part of INS, consists of nine U.S. citizens, five Justice Department and INS representatives, and one Mexican government representative.

Source: Diario de Juárez

NEW U.S.-MEXICO EXTRADITION PROTOCOL

If the new extradition protocol between the Mexican and U.S. governments is approved, runaway fugitives could be sentenced in the foreign country and then be tranferred to serve the sentence in their country of origin. Juan Rebolledo Gout, Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary, was quoted in the Diario de Juárez as saying "The real fight against drugs must be done at an international level, where everyone does what they have to in order to recognize jurisdiction and respect the different nation's powers." During a meeting with legislators and advisors from Mexico's Senate, Rebolledo explained the main purpose of the protocol was to "close the doors" to drug dealers and other criminals who commit crimes in other countries and then seek refuge in a foreign country.

Source: Diario de Juárez

DEADLINE TO ESTABLISH IMMIGRATION STATUS EXTENDED

INS has extended the date by which eligible aliens may adjust immigration status according to Section 245(I) of the Code for Immigration and Naturalization .

Section 245(I) currently allows eligible aliens to get a visa number. However, if they are in the U.S. illegally they are fined $1,000 in order to stay here. This law was to expire on November 14, 1997. However, as a part of the Commerce-Justice-State Proposal for 1998 fiscal year, Congress is considering an extension for some aliens.

Normally, a visa request must be done at a specific location, according to the instructions. However, to accomodate last minute requests, INS was allowing these requests to be filed at any INS office until closing time on November 14, 1997.

Source: Diario de Juárez.

CAMERAS INSTALLED TO CATCH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Before the year is over, it is expected that Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, will receive 17 cameras to be placed at different border points in order to detect drug contraband and illegal immigrants crossing the border.

Border Patrol agents said these high technology cameras will be placed on top of metal towers 70 feet. high. These cameras will detect movement in the dark using infrared rays, which are heat sensitive. The cameras will be connected to computers which automatically answer to the movement sensors buried underground along the border.

These efforts to stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into U.S. territory are part of a new strategy implemented by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) and Border Patrol to apply consistent, similar techniques from McAllen, Texas to Tucson, Arizona.

The crucial goal for the Border Patrol is to create a strict watch over "carriers" used by drug dealers and "coyotes" who try to cross people over the border. The Rio Grande Operation, recently started at McAllen, Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and New Mexico, are key areas for the implementation of stricter enforcement.

Border Patrol chief in El Paso, William Veal, indicated another important factor in the operation is to "better our infrastructure on the border. These cameras will do just that. They can provide a color picture and at the same time use infrared rays. The cameras reach out to three miles and have auto focus over any movement sensed by the movement sensors." Each camera costs $250,000. They expect to have this equipment installed at three other border crossings: Tucson, Arizona; El Centro, California; and McAllen, Texas.

SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY OPEN TO PUBLIC

Residents from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez have a new entry at the Santa Teresa port. U.S. Customs Service opened a new facility to replace the temporary quarters, and which will handle more traffic. The 38-acres port located about 15 miles west of Sundland Park, includes 25 inspection bays for commercial goods. According with statistics from the customs officials the number of commercial and passanger traffic has increased since 1993. In fiscal year 1994, the port processed 37,000 cars and 4,554 trucks; in 1997, 70,483 cars and 31,788 trucks. The port is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for passenger vehicles.

Source: El Paso Times and El Norte de Ciudad Juárez

DOCUMENTED RESIDENTS HAVE MORE SCHOOLING THAN U.S. CITIZENS

According to a new national study reported in the El Paso Times of Nov. 6, immigrants who legally settle in the U.S. have more school experience, on average, than most native-born U.S. citizens.

The Immigrant Survey Pilot Study findings indicated the median years of schooling completed among legal immigrants is a year higher than the native-born US population, and the postgraduate education proportion is three times higher.

Two other studies on the Mexico-United States migration and immigrants concluded that:

1) One-third, or 2.4 million, of Mexico-born U.S. residents are unauthorized.
2) In 1996, Mexican immigrants made up about 3% of the U.S. population.
3) Legal immigrants (who never entered the U.S. illegally) increased their earnings by 50%, while the formerly undocumented more than doubled their earnings.
4) Half of the legal immigrants who never entered the U.S. illegally were born in Mexico.

Source: Diario de Juárez, El Paso Times