Experts: Millions of immigrants remain in U.S. after visas expire

PHOENIX (AP) -- Millions of undocumented immigrants - many from Canada, Mexico and Europe - have entered Arizona and U.S. states legally with student, work or tourism visas and then remain after their visas expired.

Known as "overstays," they have received scant attention in the national debate over immigration reform and homeland security, even though the government estimates overstays make up at least a third of the nation's total undocumented population of about 11 million people.

_____

State lawmakers to renew push to target illegal immigrants
By JACQUES BILLEAUD
Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) -- Some states struggling with illegal immigration and associated problems will see a renewed push by their state lawmakers in the coming year to punish businesses that hire undocumented workers and bar illegal immigrants from getting in-state tuition.

Both ideas rank among the top proposals state lawmakers across the country will offer as they try to address the problems caused by the thousands of people crossing the border illegally each year.

_____

Lawmakers hope to compel Washington to change immigration rules
By GIOVANNA DELL'ORTO
Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) -- Those who favor cracking down on illegal immigration and those who want more benefits for all immigrants, legal or not, agree on one thing - the federal government might be the one with the power to create and enforce immigration policy, but it's failing at it.

_____

Mexico City combats sidewalk pornography
By Mark Stevenson
ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY – Mexico City launched an uphill battle this week against street vendors who have turned many of the city's sidewalks and subway entrances into in-your-face displays of graphic, triple-X movies and magazines.

Some 600 city police confiscated thousands of pirated pornographic videos from a five-block stretch Tuesday in an effort to force some of the city's unlicensed street vendors to be more discreet with their X-rated wares in this socially conservative society.

_____

Official gets deported for beating death
UNION-TRIBUNE

Former Mexican state investigator Ramon Guerrero Martínez, who allegedly participated in beating a bank robbery suspect to death in Tijuana four years ago, was deported to Mexico this week to face charges there.

Guerrero, whom Mexican authorities had been seeking since the 2001 beating, was arrested by San Diego police March 29 after a domestic disturbance call in which he was accused of beating his 9-year-old daughter.

_____

Fewer Mexicans head home for holidays

Those going south fear they may not be able to get back into the U.S. It's a three-year trend.
ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN
Associated Press Writer

For the third straight year, fewer illegal immigrants are returning to Mexico from Arizona for the holiday season, likely fearing tightened borders will make it too tough to re-enter the U.S., a Mexican consular spokesman said.

_____

Nation's Police Chiefs Say Illegal Alien Gang Linked to Al-Qaeda

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 103 members of the violent street gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) in six major U.S. cities as part of a new anti-gang initiative called “Operation Community Shield,” according to a report received by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

The hundreds individuals arrested to date are accused of violations that range from felony charges of re-entering the United States after deportation, to violating state anti-gang injunctions, to violating the terms of their immigration status due to prior convictions for attempted murder, sodomy, assault, arson, weapons possession and narcotics violations. Roughly half of these 103 individuals have prior arrests or convictions for violent crimes. Several also have charges of murder pending against them.

…. many MS-13 members derive income from the sale of illegal drugs and other contraband, making them subject to ICE’s counter-drug, financial and other investigative authorities. MS-13 is also suspected of collaboration with members or associates of the Al-Qaeda terrorism network. Seizure and forfeiture of funds, property and other illegally derived assets will be another part of the Operation.