Thread: Feds resume flying illegals back to Mexican interior

Published: 07.07.2006

Feds resume flying captured migrants back to Mexican interior
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
For the third straight summer, federal officials are flying some illegal immigrants back to the Mexican interior after they've been caught crossing into Arizona.
The first repatriation flight this year carried 67 people Friday morning - all considered at risk to their health if they were to try crossing the desert again and all volunteers - from here to Mexico City.
From there, they were to be bused to destinations near their homes in central and southern Mexico, officials said.
There will be two daily flights, carrying up to 300 people in all, during the summer, when most desert deaths occur.
The interior repatriation program targets people considered most at risk, including those caught who are close to dehydration, who are exhausted or in need of medical attention, said Russell Ahr, a spokesman in Phoenix for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The intent is to decrease the number of migrant deaths in the Arizona desert and to try to disrupt border smuggling activities by "reducing the number of people who get recycled," Ahr said.
Many of those who are returned to Mexican border cities immediately encounter smugglers or paid guides who persuade a number to try crossing into the United States again.
The government of Mexico as well as the Border Patrol and ICE recognize interior repatriation as a step "to get them away from the border and discourage that quick turnaround that some of them have been availing themselves of," Ahr said.
The program targets women and children in general, and particularly women who might be pregnant, Ahr said.
"This is a voluntary program, so they are screened both by agency and (Mexican) consular officials from Mexico to make sure they fit the criteria for the program and are willing participants," he said.
Processing and screening of apprehended Mexican nationals is conducted at Nogales and Yuma.
Illegal immigrants identified as criminals will not be eligible to participate; nor will minors unaccompanied by adult relatives, Ahr said.
During 2004, the first year of operation, it lasted for 81 days, returning 14,067 people on 151 flights at a cost of $15 million, Ahr said.
Last summer, the program ran for 113 days, repatriating 20,592 people aboard 225 flights. It cost $13.6 million.
"We will just have to wait and see ... what kind of demand is put on the program" this summer, Ahr said.
The repatriation program was operated by Customs and Border Protection and the Border Patrol previously, but has been shifted under an appropriations change within the Department of Homeland Security's budget, Ahr said.
The flights are operated by Aeromexico as a subcontractor for CSI Aviation Services.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/136952

If it was good enough for Eisenhower...

Originally Posted by mapwife

If it was good enough for Eisenhower...

That's what I was thinking and it worked. He'd roll over in his grave if he knew what this country has let occur.

The program should be run non-stop all year round!

The media might just be throwing us a bone to settle us down but I hope that isn't the case. We occasionally hear of ICE doing their job too lately. And yet, I am hopeful more enforcement will keep happening for the good of our country.

Jean,

I have feared the same thing. That this is more "window dressing" from our shamnesty president, just like sending unarmed National Guard troops to the border.

How dare you Mr. BOOSH!
If I was in the Guard, leaving my gun behind would be one order I would ignore.

We cannot get soft just because of a few good articles. Let's keep up the fight!!

"This is a voluntary program, so they are screened both by agency and (Mexican) consular officials from Mexico to make sure they fit the criteria for the program and are willing participants," he said.

It's nothing but a tax payer funded trip back home to visit relatives for a few days. (if they have any left there )

Illegal immigrants identified as criminals will not be eligible to participate

Heaven forbid Mexico would be made to take back their criminal citizens.

During 2004, the first year of operation, it lasted for 81 days, returning 14,067 people on 151 flights at a cost of $15 million, Ahr said.
Last summer, the program ran for 113 days, repatriating 20,592 people aboard 225 flights. It cost $13.6 million.

I wish the government would contribute to my vacation fund each year.

An average of $660.00 ea to fly them back to Mexico. Does that seem high to anybody else. Also would you not think that the government could not cut a deal with the airlines when using flights for this purpose. This sounds like more of the same crap. And why not use the buses to get them back instead of spending on airlines?

Originally Posted by lsmith1338

An average of $660.00 ea to fly them back to Mexico. Does that seem high to anybody else. Also would you not think that the government could not cut a deal with the airlines when using flights for this purpose. This sounds like more of the same crap. And why not use the buses to get them back instead of spending on airlines?

Good point lsmith.

I'd have no problem sending them back the same way they got here however that might be. Wonder how much the coyotes would charge for the return trip.