U.S.-Mexican repatriation program resumes
By UPI Staff
United Press International
July 11, 2006

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The United States and Mexico have resumed a program to return illegal immigrants to their towns of origin inside Mexico.

The Interior Repatriation Program, implemented by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Mexican government, transports illegal immigrants to their hometowns in the interior of the country instead of towns along the border to discourage the returned parties from attempting to re-enter the United States, The Washington Times reported Monday.

"By quickly returning aliens to the interior of Mexico rather than to the Mexican border, both nations seek so save lives and discourage additional illegal border crossings through hostile, desert terrain," ICE spokeswoman Kadia Koroma told the newspaper.

The program, which officially resumed Friday with a flight carrying 67 illegal immigrants back to their hometowns, is dedicated to ensuring "the safe, effective and humanitarian return of Mexican nationals illegally in the United States," Koroma said.