http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=4271330

PHOENIX The flow of illegal immigration across the Arizona border slows during the Christmas season.

But that has federal authorities fearing an increase in violence toward undocumented immigrants by smugglers trying to make up for a decrease in profits.

Authorities say immigrant-smuggling organizations in Arizona are becoming more ruthless as tighter border security reduces the flow of illegal immigration overall.

They say smugglers are holding migrants hostage to extort additional money after the migrants have already paid their smuggling fees.

Gangs also are stealing migrants from smugglers, then holding them for their own ransoms.

Since March 2003, customs agents in Arizona have responded to more than 250 hostage incidents involving undocumented immigrants.