Immigrant demonstrates ease of re-entering country illegally

MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- An illegal immigrant who was jailed in Arizona and deported to Mexico has since returned to the state.

It took Efrain Martinez, who spent 42 days in jail for lying to police, less than a week in late April to be convicted, deported and return to the country.

Border officials and immigration experts said such rapid border recrossings aren't uncommon.

While immigration officials don't keep statistics on illegal re-entries, most people know that returning immigrants back to the border can sometimes be like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom.