U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE

O C t o b e r 2 0 0 1

Volume 23, Number 9 www.ins.usdoj.gov

Senator Bob Dole's speech highlightsDisability Employment Awarenessevent

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Commissioner Ziglar conveysmessage of thanks during New York City visit

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Unexpectedly large turnouthonors victims of terrorismat Western Region ceremony

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Photos b

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ohen, Office of Financial M

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Photo b

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Before he stepped into the world ofelective politics, Ruben Barrales says heaspired to be the best-educated roofer onthe San Francisco peninsula.

The son of Mexican immigrants, thefirst in his family to attend college, andnow a White House official, Barrales is anadvocate for improved educationalopportunities that will enable moreHispanics and other minorities to achievethe American dream.

Ensuring access to a quality educationfor every child "is probably the most pro-Hispanic theme" any politician couldembrace," Barrales said before the INSHispanic Heritage Month observance onOct. 2.

Too many Hispanic youth are nottesting near their academic potential,Barrales said. "That has to change. There'snothing more important than closing that

education gap that many Hispanic,African American and other children havefaced in America," he told a gathering ofabout 200 people in Headquarters' mainconference room.

Working for his father, a roofingcontractor, helped pay Barrales' waythrough the University of California,Riverside. Since last March, he has beenbusy at a very different type of occupation,serving as a deputy assistant to PresidentGeorge W. Bush and the White Housedirector of intergovernmental relations.

Positive reinforcement

Touching on the event's theme of"Paving the Way for Future Generations,"Barrales urged all Hispanic adults to berole models to encourage the aspirations of Hispanic youth. He encouraged them

Hispanic celebration cites successes,highlights need for quality education

Commissioner James Ziglar presents an honorary Statue of Liberty to guest speaker Ruben Barrales as JoAn Taylor, chiefof affirmative employment programs branch of EEOC looks on.

Ensuring access to a

quality education for

every child "is probably

the most pro-Hispanic

theme" any politician

could embrace.

- Reuben Barrales

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The INS Communiqué is published by INS Headquarters under a contractwith Casals & Associates of Alexandria, Virginia. The publication iscommitted to informing the employees of the Immigration andNaturalization Service about official and unofficial activities. Readers areencouraged to submit articles, photographs, and letters to the editor. Writeto Communiqué c/o Casals & Associates / 1199 North Fairfax Street, ThirdFloor / Alexandria, VA 22314 / attention: INS Communiqué Editor.Submissions in electronic format may be sent to << ins@casals.com >>.

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James W. ZiglarCommissioner

Ray PotterEditor

Wendy WirthAssistant Editor

Joseph KarpinskiDirector of the Office of Congressional Relationsand Public Affairs

Anne Asencio / Don AbalosGraphic Design

HEADQUARTERS NEWSWhite House aide addresses Hispanic Heritage celebration................Commissioner talks to Congress about technology............................Sen. Bob Dole keynotes Disability Employment event ........................New "laser visas" make forgeries more difficult ................................."V" nonimmigrant visa aims to help family members ........................

INS NEWS OF NOTERemembrance: Seeing America's strength in recent tragedies ...........Miami officer's daughter offers a fourth-grader's perspective ............A photographic look back on Border Patrol training, circa 1965 ......Career Sustainment summit focuses on retaining employees ............

INS NEWS FROM THE FIELDCommissioner's New York tour offers support and thanks .................Memorial service for Sept. 11 victims draws a huge crowd................Bangkok District wins award for nabbing smugglers ..........................Miami District breaks a smuggling chain............................................El Paso conducts water-rescue training with a twist............................U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback tours Wichita office...................................L.A. adjudications officers, inspectors back Explorers post ................

People on the MoveNewark detention officer wins medal for off-duty heroism ..................

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"to reach out to young Hispanic boys and girls andshow them that they have options, they can beprofessionals."

"There are many role models, since thebeginning of time, for young Hispanics to aspireto," he said. "As Hispanics, we've done fairly wellin terms of the military, academics and science. …Those are things to be conscious of for ourchildren, and for young Hispanics."

Although Hispanics have scored sizable gains in recent years getting elected to public office, they remain under-represented in that categoryrelative to their roughly 12 percent share of thenation's population.

Barrales was the first Latino elected to the SanMateo County Board of Supervisors, south of SanFrancisco. He served as a supervisor for six yearsbefore moving to Washington to join the WhiteHouse staff.

While in California, Barrales also was presidentand chief executive officer of Joint Venture -Silicon Valley Network, a non-profit consortium ofhigh-tech executives, educators and state and localpolitical leaders. The network developed a $20million educational improvement programinvolving teams of educators and aimed atimproving education in the Bay Area. Amongother activities, Silicon Valley Network helpedfound a public charter school in Barrales'hometown of Redwood City.

Hispanics at INS

In welcoming remarks at the observance,Commissioner James W. Ziglar noted that,"Hispanics are not very well represented in thefederal workforce." However, he proudly noted thatthe INS is a very notable exception. It has one ofthe highest proportions of Hispanics on its payrollof all federal agencies, he said.

Hispanics hold slightly less than 7 percent offederal jobs, but account for about a quarter of theINS workforce. Within the INS, the Border Patrolhas the highest percentage, with about 40 percentof its ranks filled by persons of Hispanic ancestry.

"We think that's a terrific accomplishment forthe INS," Ziglar said.

Making his first appearance before a largegathering of INS staff since the terrorist attacks ofSept. 11, the commissioner took the opportunity toexpress his gratitude to INS staff.

"I have really been inspired and very grateful forthe efforts and resilience that you've demonstratedduring this crisis. The INS has done a remarkablejob at responding to this crisis. I want to thank youand tell you just how impressed I am with thisorganization," Ziglar said.

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On a trip of the New York City area in earlyOctober, Commissioner James W. Ziglar carried amessage of gratitude and support for INS employeesand a pledge to immigrants that the INS stoodready to assist them with a full range of services, asNew York struggled to recover from the terroristattacks of Sept. 11 on the World Trade Center.

Ziglar's visit spanned four days and took himfrom the New York District's offices in lowerManhattan, about a dozen blocks from the rubble ofthe Trade Center towers, to the Church of St.Francis of Assisi, where he met representatives oforganizations and media from the city's ethniccommunities.

He met with Newark District staff and 20Border Patrol agents at Newark InternationalAirport, where his commercial airline flight fromWashington, D.C., touched down on the eveningof Thursday, Oct. 4. Ziglar also spent much ofSaturday meeting with New York Districtimmigration inspectors and other personnel at NewYork's LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports.Included were 20 Border Patrol agents atLaGuardia and 50 at JFK who were assigned toairport security details.

A "renewed spirit"

At a town hall meeting with the district's staff atthe Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on Fridaymorning, the commissioner thanked employees andalso spoke of the need for leadership at all levels ofthe organization.

"You've pulled together, you've helped thecommunity," Ziglar said. "You've done everythingthat you could possibly do to be part of thisrecovery, to be part of this renewed spirit. Iappreciate that very much."

"It's tough now, tough for everybody, but toughfor you folks especially," Ziglar said. However, "thecountry, the political establishment understands justhow important what we do is." Terrorists and others

seeking to harm the United States will be stopped,he said. "We're going to stop them."

At the same time, "we're going to welcome inthose who want to work in this country, live in thiscountry, who want their kids to grow up here,"Ziglar said.

Technical challenges

More than three weeks after the terrorist attacks,their effects were evident. Employees at the federalbuilding were still relying on cell telephones formost of their calls. The office's fixed, or land-based,telephone lines were knocked out of service themorning of Sept. 11. Efforts by the local telephonecompany to restore full service to lower Manhattanwere hampered by the destruction of a crucial call-switching hub that had been located under theTrade Center towers.

The Javits building is within the restricted zoneset up by police after the disaster and closed toemployees for two weeks following Sept. 11.

New York District employees overcameenormous technical challenges to keep several vitaloperations, including investigations, functioning atother sites in the crashes' aftermath. Immigrationservices were restored, starting with emergency casesduring the week of Sept. 22. With help from otherfacilities, district employees managed to conductnaturalization ceremonies around the city asplanned, even while their federal building officeswere closed. The office re-opened to provide a fullrange of immigration services on Oct. 1.

Aid to immigrants

On the Friday morning of the commissioner'svisit, Ziglar met with representatives from about 15community-based organizations (CBOs) that workwith various ethnic communities and reporters fromabout 20 of the city's ethnic newspapers andbroadcast outlets. He emphasized that the INSwould try to assist immigrants with special needs

Ziglar's New York visit conveys a messageof support for staff, help for immigrants

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arising from the attacks, a message that he deliveredconsistently throughout the tour.

Ziglar made a special appeal to aliens who are out of legalstatus and reluctant to contact authorities about theirproblems. "We continue to be concerned that some people oremployers whose loved ones or workers are missing have notcome forward because of immigration issues," he said. "Wecannot let this happen."

"I want to personally urge the immigrant community tocome forward, and assure everyone that INS will not seek, andlocal authorities will not divulge, any information provided inthe rescue and recovery effort."

“A better understanding”

The hour-long meeting with the CBO representatives andreporters at the Franciscan Immigration Center in mid-townManhattan had the desired effect, according to the Rev. BrianJordan, who founded the center two years ago at the St.Francis of Assisi church.

"As a result of the meeting, the immigrant community hasa better understanding of the position of the INS not tointerfere with families who lost loved ones," said FatherJordan, who worked two years as an INS public affairs officerat Headquarters during the late 1990s. "The commissionerdisplayed great compassion and sincerity in this matter."

The reaction of the CBO representatives was one of"generalized surprise, but extreme pleasure" that thecommissioner chose to meet with them, Father Jordan said.

Several questions raised by the media reflected concerns inthe immigrant community that the terrorist attacks willprovoke major changes in the nation's immigration laws andpolicies. Ziglar said that such issues would be considered byCongress and the President.

The two commandeered airliners that were steered into theWorld Trade Center on Sept. 11 devastated a portion of a citythat is familiar ground to the commissioner. During most of his23-year career in the financial services industry, Ziglar livedand worked in Manhattan.

"I spent my career right down here," he told the New York District staff. "I grew up in Mississippi, but I am aNew Yorker. My heart has been here for many, many years."

families of victims toldcompassionate discretionguides INS decisions

Commissioner James Ziglar turns to New York District Director Edward McElroyduring a meeting with community-based organizations and the media in Manhattan.

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Commissioner James W. Ziglar assured family members

whose legal status in the United States was dependent on

people who died or are missing from the Sept. 11 terrorist

attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that

they would not be subject to immediate removal.

"The INS will exercise its discretion in a compassionate

way toward families of victims during this time of mourning

and readjustment," Ziglar said in a statement issued Oct. 10.

The INS began on Sept. 19 notifying INS staff to exercise

compassionate discretion in cases involving the families of

victims of the attacks.

The Oct. 10 statement was prompted in part by reports

of a British woman who feared removal from the United

States due to the loss of her husband in the World Trade

Center attack. The commissioner noted that the woman was

told at a meeting with Newark District officials on Sept. 27

that she was not facing removal and was offered deferred

action. This status allows her to remain in the United States

and to receive work authorization.

The facts surrounding the woman's situation suggested

a case of unfortunate timing. Her husband had been in the

United States on an H1-B nonimmigrant work visa that had

expired last August, based on the six-year statutory

limitation for such visas. Last July, the husband applied for

an "O" nonimmigrant visa.

On Sept. 13, the Vermont Service Center, unaware that

the husband was missing, mailed a routine letter to the

husband's attorney requesting information regarding the

husband's eligibility for an "O" visa.

Upon learning of the situation's full facts, the INS

immediately exercised its discretion and granted the woman

deferred action on humanitarian grounds.

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In remembrance

The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, on the Pentagon, and in westernPennsylvania have been tragic for our entire nation. Here in Washington, we did not know what todo. However, this tragedy has brought many nationalities together to work with one common goal,and that is keeping our freedom. We pay tribute to the lives lost and the grieving families. Wethank all the rescue workers for their tireless efforts. We support the survivors who went into theiroffices without knowing the disaster awaiting them and who made it back out. We continue to raisemoney to assist our families in need.

We have seen America at its best and its worst. We here at the History Office & Library inviteyou to remember those lives by lifting up a song in your heart each day and whispering a prayerthat things may go God's way. We need to pull together and pray for what is happening to ournation. We say "in God we trust" and sing "God bless America" to remind us who has control.

Crystal Lloyd-WilliamsINS History Office Library

Information Specialist

This essay was written by

nine year-old Enamarie Joy

Montero, daughter of Xavier E.

Montero, immigration

adjudications officer of the

Miami District. This piece was

written shortly after the

September 11th terrorist

attacks and reflects the

patriotism of today's children.

In addition to this article,

Enamarie has made several

posters about the attacks,

which are displayed in the

waiting room on one of the

floors of the INS building in

Miami. Enamarie is a fourth

grader at Oliver Hoover

Elementary School in

Miami. Her teacher is

Mrs. Wieschhorster

On a sunny Southern California day like no other,a senior special agent at the Western Region officeon Sept. 11 took a call from a friend, who alsohappens to be a minister and a volunteer chaplainfor the FBI.

In the aftermath of that Tuesday morning'sterrorist attacks, televisions throughout the ChetHolifield Federal Building in Laguna Nigel, Calif.,were tuned to news reports of the destruction inNew York City, at the Pentagon and in westernPennsylvania.

The minister, en route to comfort the staff of theFBI's Los Angeles office, asked Senior SpecialAgent Ted Stark if he was needed by anyone at theINS office. Stark said no, but that a visit later in theweek would probably do some good, perhaps for asmall gathering to mourn the victims of the Sept.11 tragedies.

After hanging up with the Rev. Ralph Buchorn,Agent Stark sent an email message to five otherfederal employees, telling them of plans for a smallceremony during the lunch hour on Friday aroundthe flagpoles in front of the Holifield building.

Stark, who serves with the Intelligence Divisionat the Western Region office, also called BorderPatrol Agent Chaplain Brian T. Henderson with theSan Diego sector, to ask if he could participate. Themeeting might draw 20, maybe 30 people, ChaplainHenderson recalled Stark saying.

However, Stark's message apparently struck areceptive chord. By Thursday afternoon, his emailmessage had been passed to hundreds of staffmembers in the building and copies could be foundtaped to elevator walls and in the cafeteria. Morethan 1,000 people work in the federal building,which houses the Western Region office and theCalifornia Service Center, as well as offices of the

IRS, Social Security Administration, GSA and theNational Archives.

On Friday morning, Western Region DirectorJohnnie Williams gathered his staff to talk aboutINS operations and his pride in how employees hadresponded to the national crisis. Williams alsoreminded the staff that employee assistanceprograms (EAP) were available for those in need ofsupport and noted the memorial ceremony at theflagpoles during the lunch hour.

Stopping by the cafeteria to get a soft drinkbefore heading to the flagpoles, ChaplainHenderson noticed that the cash register clerk wastelling every customer to attend. "That was our firstindication that this might be a bigger gatheringthan we had planned," he said. A bigger surpriseawaited him just outside the front doors where 150people had already assembled at the flagpoles.

The start was delayed for five minutes, as peoplecontinued to flow from the building. By then, thecrowd had swelled to an estimated 400 peopleduring a week when many federal workers hadchosen to take time off from work.

"It was confirmation to me that America isindeed a nation of faith," Chaplain Henderson said."This was a moment for their faith to give them, ifnot an answer to the question 'why?,' then thereason to go on and not be paralyzed by fear."

Chaplain Henderson spoke of the importanceand tenacity of faith in helping people cope andfind strength during times of trouble. To underscorehis message, he quoted from the second book ofCorinthians: "We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, butnot destroyed."

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A small group's quest for understandingdraws a huge crowd for memorial ceremony

Border Patrol AgentChaplain BrianHenderson withupraised arms leads aprayer for the victimsof Sept. 11. BehindHenderson at right isSenior IntelligenceAgent Ted Stark.

During two appearances before Congressionalsubcommittees in early October, CommissionerJames W. Ziglar outlined plans for applying the toolsof technology to the agency's mission of securingAmerica's borders.

Topping the agenda at both hearings was thedevelopment of Enterprise Architecture, which wasdescribed as "our long-term, strategically orientedapproach to accomplishing the information-drivenaspects of the INS mission."

Planning for Enterprise Architecture, which wasmandated by Congress, began in October 2000,Ziglar said. "I expect the final delivery of thisproject, the transition plan to our targetarchitecture, to be ready at the beginning of thethird quarter," or next spring.

Ziglar testified on Oct. 11 before the Housesubcommittee on immigration and claims on "the useof information technology in immigrationenforcement." He appeared the next day before theSenate subcommittee on technology, terrorism andgovernment information to address "technology'srole in preventing the entry of terrorists into theUnited States."

In addition to Enterprise Architecture, twodatabase improvement projects are also movingforward, as mandated by Congress, Ziglar said. TheStudent Exchange Visitor Information System, orSEVIS, is designed to provide rapid access toinformation about foreign nationals who holdstudent visas.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,objections from some academic institutions thathad delayed the plan have virtually disappeared, hesaid. "The INS, with your help, will meet, andintends to beat, the Congress' date of Dec. 20, 2003to start implementation of SEVIS" for all holders ofstudent visas.

Attention is also being focused on developingsystems to provide immediate access to entry andexit data of foreign visitors to the United States,Ziglar said. Under the Data ManagementImprovement Act of 2000, the INS is required todevelop a fully automated integrated entry-exit data

collection system, which would be deployed toairports and seaports by the end of 2004, and to allother ports of entry by the end of 2005.

Efforts are also underway to expand access byimmigration inspectors to data of the NationalCrime Information Center (NCIC). "Only recentlyhave immigration inspectors been authorized toroutinely use NCIC criminal history data (NCIC III)to identify criminal aliens in advance of theirarrival," the commissioner said. "To expedite thisprocess, we will require the assistance of Congress foradditional communications and mainframe capacityso that we may obtain real-time NCIC III data."

He noted that President Bush's proposed budgetcalled for an increase in Border Patrol agents andsupport staff along the northern border. The BorderPatrol is also expected to receive expanded access tobiometric identification systems, such as IDENT.

Also in the president's proposed budget was anincrease in inspectors at ports of entry. One goal is toinspect all "in-transit," or international-to-international transit (ITI) passengers. The agency isworking towards requiring all airlines to submit anadvance passenger information list before their U.S.-bound flights depart an overseas airport. Mostairlines already voluntarily submit such passengerlists in advance of the flight's arrival.

"Meeting deadlines set by Congress or thePresident is my top priority," Ziglar said. "If adeadline cannot be met because it is unrealistic or foranother legitimate reason, then my policy will be totell Congress or the President in advance."

But Ziglar warned against looking ontechnological solutions as a panacea to securing the nation's borders.

"Technology must be coupled with a strongintelligence and information-gathering anddistribution system if we are to leverage our resourcesand maximize our capabilities," the commissionertestified before the Senate subcommittee. "That willrequire seamless cooperation among the manygovernment agencies."

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Commissioner explains technology's role in the agency's increasingly complex mission

By his own admission, RobertDole "never paid much attentionto people with disabilities" until1945, "about the time that Ijoined the group. When it hitsyou, then it's different."

Dole, a former Senate majorityleader and Republicanpresidential candidate, is nowretired from public office, but notfrom the public eye. He remainsactive as a spokesman for severalcauses, including the effort toconstruct a memorial to WorldWar II veterans in the nation'scapital.

On Oct. 31, he spoke with humor and insight at an INSprogram marking Disability Employment AwarenessMonth, on two topics that he knows well: living with adisability and politics. Dole recounted his personal battle,lasting more than a year and involving several surgeries, torecover from wounds sustained as an Army platoon leaderin Italy during World War II.

"If I've accomplished anything, probably the thing thatI've done the best is to cope with a disability and toencourage others to cope with a disability," Dole said."You've got to get over a lot of hurdles. But you always findanother road to take."

For Dole, wartime injuries meant setting aside plans tobecome a doctor. He chose instead to study law andeventually run for elected office in Kansas. His wartimeinjuries having rendered his right arm useless for theneeded political skill of shaking lots of hands, Dole learnedto shake hands with his left. He clutches a pen in his righthand, which has little movement or feeling, to dissuadeanyone from grabbing it out of habit.

Politics brought victories, and one that he fondlyrecalled was the bipartisan support that brought aboutpassage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),landmark legislation that expanded opportunities fordisabled Americans. "In 12 years we've come a long ways,"Dole said of the law. "Other countries come to Americanow to see what we've done when it comes to dealingwith people's disabilities."

As for the general goals of disabled Americans, hesaid: "We want to be treated just like anyone else. Wewant to operate independently. We want to have mobilityand freedom to come and go as we choose and to use ourabilities as contributing members of society."

Dole, who in retirement has penned two books onpolitical humor, had plenty to say about politics andpoliticians, taking special note of his wife, Elizabeth Dole,

a likely candidate in 2002 for a U.S. Senate seat from hernative North Carolina.

"If Elizabeth wins, I want to be a Senate spouse likePresident Clinton," he said, referring to his Democraticfoe in the 1996 presidential race. "We've always had agood relationship," Dole said of the former president. "Hejust got more votes than I did."

Clinton and Dole recently appeared together for acampaign to raise $100 million to provide collegescholarships for the children of the victims of the Sept. 11terrorist attacks. "I'm going to run for president of theSenate Spouses' Club," Dole said, sounding out his hopesthat former President Clinton will step aside. "So, I'llfinally get to be president of something."

Commissioner James W. Ziglar, who served as theSenate's sergeant at arms prior to joining the INS thisyear, introduced Dole by citing some of his manyaccomplishments, including his 27 years in the Senate."One of the things I regret most about my service assergeant at arms is that I didn't have the chance to servewhen Senator Dole was there," he said.

Still, Ziglar couldn't resist referring to perhaps the best-known of the few commercial product endorsements thatDole has made since leaving elected office in 1996. Theformer senator has appeared in television commercials forViagra, a treatment for male impotence. In the ads, Doleencourages men to regularly see a doctor and be tested forprostate cancer.

"He is now endorsing products that are near and dearto the hearts of men my age," Ziglar said, as the audiencestarted laughing. "You know, Pepsi-Cola and credit cards."

Stepping to the podium, Dole acknowledged thecommissioner's remarks by saying, "I just gave Jim alifetime supply. (pause) One tablet." Attesting to Dole'seffectiveness as a product spokesman, both men managedto provoke howls of knowing laughter without evermentioning the product's name.

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Bob Dole with "The Wild Zappers," a dance troupe comprised of persons who arehearing impaired. The group performed during the program.

Photo b

y Bruce C

ohen, System

s Division

Bob Dole speaks from experience,highlighting Disability Awareness event

The Bangkok District Enforcement unitlast year joined forces with Bangkokpolice to disrupt one of Thailand's largest migrant-smuggling operations and distributors of fraudulent passportdocuments.

Commissioner James W. Ziglarpresented the "Innovative InvestigativeTechniques" award to the Bangkokenforcement unit on Aug. 27 at thenational conference of districtinvestigators meeting in Baltimore.

The award was given to the entireBangkok enforcement team and other staffmembers who were instrumental inassisting with the one-year investigation.Bangkok District Assistant DistrictDirector for Investigations BrianVaillancourt accepted the award on behalfof the enforcement unit.

Operation Best House, as theinvestigation was called, led to the arrests and convictions of five peoplewho supplied documents and attemptedto smuggle aliens from the People'sRepublic of China to the United States,Japan, and countries in Western Europeand elsewhere. Those convicted includedthree Thai nationals and two people from China.

Attesting to the size of the operation,the minimum acceptable order from avendor was for 3,000 fraudulent passportsand a going rate of up to $150,000 foreach order, according to investigators.

Besides the arrests, investigators alsoseized thousands of bogus passports and aprinting press. The printing machine wasfound in the house of the documentvendor, who not only manufactured

counterfeit passports, but also suppliedpassport data for his clients. Investigatorsalso found 33 metal plates that were usedto produce counterfeit Malaysian passports.

Other evidence suggested that theindividuals may have tried to passthemselves off as nationals of Japan andGermany. Counterfeit Japanese visitorvisas believed to be manufactured by thedocument vendor and counterfeitlaminates for German passports were foundat the house. These laminates werebelieved to have been produced for clientswishing to enter Europe and ultimately theUnited States, under the privilegeaccorded German citizens by the U.S.visa-waiver program.

Portrayed as involving one of thecountry's largest passport counterfeit rings,the investigation and arrests receivedwidespread news coverage in Thailand.

Special Agents of the Miami Districtwrapped up a seven-month undercoverinvestigation of immigrant smugglingfrom China with the arrests in earlySeptember of four suspected smugglers.

Operation Salty Dog started in late2000, based on information from otherfederal agencies, the Miami District saidin a Sept. 10 statement.

According to an indictment returnedby a federal grand jury in Miami, thesuspects were allegedly responsible forsmuggling citizens from the People'sRepublic of China (PRC) into Miami, viaCuba and other Caribbean countries.

To gain entry into the United States,the smugglers and their clients usedfraudulent documents and other forms ofillegal entry. The final destination formost of the smuggled individuals was NewYork City.

Operation Salty Dog uncoveredinformation indicating that the ringsmuggled approximately 20 people permonth at a fee of about $60,000 for each.

If convicted, the four arrestedindividuals, all residents of FortLauderdale, Fla., face a minimum penaltyof three years' imprisonment. One of thefour individuals was taken into custody inthe Cayman Islands and also faces chargesby authorities there.

A fifth person named in theindictment remains at large and is beingpursued by federal authorities, accordingto the Miami District's statement.

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Bangkok District wins awardfor disrupting smuggling operation

Miami District cutsChina-to-Caribbeansmuggling chain

After the Baltimoreconference,Commissioner JamesZiglar, at right,congratulates BangkokAssistant DistrictDirector forInvestigations BrianVaillancourt.

In Thailand, Bangkok District Director Jean Christiansen, atcenter right, presents the award to the entire Bangkokenforcement unit. From left are: Jarat Kheereesantikul, aninvestigator with the embassy; Immigration Officer DougVincent; Supervisory Special Agent Earl Turner; AssistantDistrict Director for Investigations Brian Vaillancourt;Christiansen; Chadaporn Wanadit, embassy investigator;George Michalakis of the IRS; and, Wanadit Andrews,computer management assistant.

In some parts of the country, the words "waterrescue" may conjure up images of a pleasure boat capsized on a lake, or the televised version of lifeguards patrolling ocean beaches in "Baywatch" reruns.

Water rescue for Border Patrol agents of the ElPaso Sector shares a similar objective: saving lives.However, it is taught and carried out in a differentand sometimes more difficult setting - the fast-flowing currents of irrigation canals.

The Franklin, or "American," Canal is one ofseveral man-made irrigation and flood-controlchannels around El Paso. Typically, it looks placidon the surface, but that surface appearance disguisesa 10- to15-mile-per-hour underlying current. In fact,it's swift enough to sweep adults off their feet andtire out even the most experienced swimmers.

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths dueto accidental drowning, the El Paso Sector begantraining its agents in swift-water rescue techniquesin 1999, using the fast-flowing Franklin as one ofits classrooms.

Within 12 months, the agents were joined by acontingent of enthusiastic municipal police,firefighters and emergency medical crews fromJuárez, El Paso's neighboring city, located justacross the Rio Grande and the international borderin Mexico.

Cross-border training by Border Patrol agentsreceived an important endorsement in July as partof a broader program of improved border safetymeasures announced by high-level delegations ofU.S. and Mexican officials meeting in El Paso.

Similar talks aimed at improving border safety wereheld between U.S. and Mexican officials along theentire Southwest border.

During the first nine months of this year, 125Mexican public safety officers and approximately375 Border Patrol agents completed water-rescuetraining in El Paso, according to Sector Swift-WaterTraining Coordinator Wayne Webb. A sprinkling ofpersonnel from the International Water &Boundary Commission and the Clint, Texas, FireDepartment also took advantage of the eight-hourtraining program.

The increased training comes as a largerproportion of the illegal migrants, the smugglerswho guide them and others attempting to evadedetection by officials at the border appear to beusing waterways and drainage tunnels in the El PasoSector.

Last year, El Paso Sector agents performed 16confirmed water rescues and assisted other agencieson countless other rescues.

Webb said the number of drowning deathsappears to be on the decline. At least six peopledrowned in waterways on the U.S. side of theborder near El Paso during the first nine months of2001. That number compares with 17 confirmedwater-related deaths for all of 2000.

This welcome decline in deaths may be due, inpart, to the impact from a binational safetycampaign that is conducted annually along thesouthwestern border, Webb said. The campaigndelivers public service announcements (PSAs)warning of the dangers of illegal border crossings.

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Joint water-rescue training in El Paso aimsto reduce drownings on both sides of border By Doug Mosier

Border Patrol Agent and Water Rescue Instructor JohnMennell, left, helps Agent Amanda Ramirez and AgentManuel Donoso practice a potentially lifesaving tug duringtraining.

Photos by Greg Leyva,El Paso Sector

During a practice drill, a lifeline helps a "victim"escape the surging waters of the Franklin Canal in ElPaso.

Decked out in helmets and wet suits, Border PatrolAgent Instructor Luis Hinojosa, left, and fellow AgentInstructor Alan Zeitvogel take a breather after playingthe roles of drowning victims.

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The new biometric, or "laser," crossing cards issuedto Mexican nationals who frequently cross theSouthwest border carry an impressive load ofinformation for their compact size.

By sliding the card's edge through a slot in anoptical machine reader at a port of entry, animmigration inspector can gain immediate access todata about the person to whom the card was issued,ranging from his or her height to birth date. Thecards also include their issuance and expirationdates and a unique identification number.

By encoding such information on a magneticstrip on the back of the card, the INS aims to tiethe card to the specific individual to whom it wasissued and reduce the opportunities for alteringinformation or making other fraudulent use of thecard. Crossing cards are issued to Mexicannationals who frequently cross the border to workand conduct business as a means to expedite cross-border traffic.

The new card functions both as a border crossingcard (BCC) and B1 business visa and B2 visitor'svisa, which is valid for 10 years. U.S. consulateoffices in Mexico are now issuing the new plastic-sheathed cards, the DSP-150. It replaces previousversions of the crossing cards, the I-186 and I-586.

The new card uses holography to secure thephotographs of cardholders on the front of thecards. On the flip side, a machine-readablehologram displays a smaller version of the photo onthe front. The DSP-150 also contains thecardholder's fingerprint data.

As of September, INS and the Department ofState had processed more than 4 million DSP-150

applications from Mexican citizens. While theswitch to the biometric cards is largely completealong the Southwest border, a similar but smallertransition to the new cards has begun along thenorthern border with Canada. Most Canadians arenot required under U.S. law to obtain a visa totravel to the United States. However, a biometriccrossing card could prove helpful to manypermanent residents of Canada who come fromother countries where a visa is required for entry tothe United States.

The additional security features of the biometriccards were mandated by the Illegal ImmigrationReform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.Procedures for applying in Mexico for the biometricBCC were put in place in 1998. U.S. consulates inMexico photograph and fingerprint applicants,adjudicate their cases, and then electronicallytransmit their information to the INS.

Crossing cards for the approved applicants arereturned to the U.S. consulate in Mexico where theapplicant filed. While awaiting a crossing card,approved applicants are admitted under a temporarylawful waiver.

Applications for the crossing cards are acceptedin: Mexico City, Ciudad Juarez, Hermosillo, Merida,Matamoros, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo,Tijuana, as well as the Tijuana and the MexicaliTemporary Processing Facilities. Visa informationcan be obtained on the website for the U.S.Embassy in Mexico City: www.usembassy-mexico.gov. In Mexico, information is available bycalling 01-900-849-4949.

New biometric border-crossing cardspack a lot of data into a compact space

The INS announced Sept. 7 that it is implementingthe new "V" nonimmigrant visa status that wouldallow many spouses and minor children of lawfulpermanent residents to reside and work in theUnited States while their applications to obtainimmigrant status are reviewed.

This provision is one of the several immigrationbenefits provided by the Legal Immigration FamilyEquity Act (the LIFE Act), which was enacted last December.

The interim rule was published in the FederalRegister on Sept. 7 and is subject to a 60-day periodof public comment. It is expected to take effectbefore the end of 2001.

Under this new nonimmigrant visa classification,spouses or unmarried children (under 21 years ofage) of a lawful permanent citizen are eligible for theV nonimmigrant classification if they meet certain

qualifications. Among those requirements is that thelawful permanent resident must have filed a petitionfor an alien relative (Form I-130) on behalf of thespouse or child before December 21, 2000, and thespouse or child must have been waiting at leastthree years after the Form I-130 was filed to begranted resident status. In addition, the spouse orchild must have completed an application to extendor change nonimmigrant status (Form I-539) andprovided information required on Supplement A ofForm I-539, completed a medical examination(Form I-693) along with required documentationand paid application and fingerprint fees.

Additional information regarding Vnonimmigrant visas and other LIFE Act benefits isavailable on the INS Web site www.ins.gov

or by calling, toll-free, INS customer service: 1-800-375-5283.

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INS readies the "V" nonimmigrant visa forspouses, children of permanent residents

Learning how to prepare reports on manualtypewriters was an essential part of the trainingat the Border Patrol Academy in Los Fresnos,Texas, back in 1965 when this photo was taken.Border Patrol training was expanded to 14 weeksin 1961. All of the academy's six classroomswere housed in a single three-story building.Starting in 1973, the Immigration Office BasicTraining Course was offered at Los Fresnos,under the direction of Chief Patrol Agent FredBlondel. The Border Patrol Academy was movedin 1977 from Los Fresnos to Glynco, Ga., as partof an effort to consolidate training for severalfederal agencies.

Report writing in the pre-computer age

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The first combined INS Recruitmentand Sustainment Summit brought

together recruitment and sustainment specialistsfrom around the service in August to focus on waysto attract and keep the best employees for the INS.In the September edition, this column exploredsome of the proven approaches and fresh ideas forrecruiting top employees.

This month we turn the spotlight on the secondvital function discussed at the summit: retainingvaluable INS employees for fulfilling and productivecareers that will last 20 years, or more. The summit,held Aug. 8 to 10 at the INS LeadershipDevelopment Center in Dallas, drew 32 participantsfrom Headquarters, administrative centers, humanresources offices, the Border Patrol Academy, theBorder Patrol's McAllen Sector in Texas, and theNew York and Chicago Districts.

The participants shared success stories, discussedchallenges, brainstormed, and crafted new strategies,all of which had a common aim of improving theservice's ability to recruit and retain employees forlong-term INS careers.

The summit also took special note of thededication of three collateral-duty coordinators,who keep employees informed about CareerSustainment programs throughout the service, andthe local managers who support their valued efforts.

The success of Career Sustainment to a largeextent rests on the efforts of more than 400volunteer INS employees, who take on the tasks ofcollateral-duty coordinators for Career Sustainmentin addition to their regular jobs within districts,sectors and other INS facilities.

Star sustainment coordinators and stellarmanagers from the previous year were recognized ata special luncheon. Receiving awards were:Elizabeth Vializ of the New York District; NicolasPrado, Jr., of the McAllen Sector; and WilliamMann of the Chicago District. A complete listing ofrecipients, presented by region, can be found in theCareer Sustainment INTRAnet site underEmployee Programs.

One of the recipients, Supervisory ImmigrationInspector Mann, explained how the many employeeevents sponsored by the O'Hare Airport Welfareand Recreation Association (WRA) in Chicagohelp to keep employee morale at high levels at thatfacility.

Discovering that others share similar goals andinterests revitalizes his enthusiasm for his own joband his support of WRA events, Mann told themeeting. "Knowing that there are people in ourimmigration family who have genuine concern fortheir fellow employees is very exciting," he said.

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Michael Booneof Charleston, S.C., praised a summit presentationentitled, "The Leader's Role in EmployeeRetention," which was conducted by Steve Hanceof the Center for Values Research Inc. in Dallas.

Offering the program in Charleston, "we will beable to maintain a focus on critical tasks, such ashiring the right people and fostering a positive workenvironment that will generate a loyal, productive,and dedicated workforce," Boone said.

The positive work environment that is the goalof the new Management Retention EducationProgram (MREP) is exemplified by the INSLeadership Development Center, the summit's host.The professionalism and attentiveness of the LDCstaff contributed greatly to the summit's success.

As a result of the views exchanged at thesummit, the Career Sustainment program assignedpriorities to its development of career-enhancingproducts for 2002. Leading the list were two CD-ROM training modules expected to be available inearly 2002. The first is entitled "Thriving in theINS," which is directed at all INS employees. Thesecond title, "The Return-on-Investment forEmployee Retention," was developed to helpsupervisors and managers develop strategies to assistemployees in achieving satisfying long-term careersat INS.

Employee Relations Specialist Henrietta Bell ofthe New York District, summed up the summit'sresults as, "it was very informative and motivational.We have a lot of work to do."

Joint summit brings together specialists to share ideas for keeping the best employees

Elizabeth Vializ, right, adeportation aide of the NewYork district receives a CareerSustainment award fromregional Career SustainmentSpecialist Tamara Gabel.

By Doug Batson

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As a volunteer firefighterduring his off-hours,Detention Officer George proves a lifesaver

By Kerry Gill

As a detention enforcement officer, Steven A.George was trained to respond calmly and decisivelyto emergencies, such as breaking up disturbancesthat occasionally erupt between detainees.

On April 16, 1999, George's training and calmresolve didn't just quiet a scuffle. It helped save thelives of two people found in a burning building inRed Bank, N.J.

During his off-hours away from the INSDetention Facility in Elizabeth, N.J., a part of the Newark District, George volunteers with hishometown fire department. It was in this capacity,as a Red Bank Volunteer Fire Departmentlieutenant, that he found himself that April night at a fire in what was thought to be anabandoned building.

Firefighters arrived to find smoke pouring fromthe rear of the building. Lt. George and a partnerentered the structure through a front window tosearch for possible victims. They didn't expect tofind any and were startled to discover two men lyingon the building's second floor, both in a semi-conscious state.

The firefighters picked up one man and carriedhim outside to safety. A second pair of rescuers wentback to carry out the second man. By the time thissecond group emerged, flames had spread along thefirst floor to a front corner of the building.

A fire department report stated that had Georgeand his partner "not risked their lives by enteringthe building, this rescue would have been a recoverymission." Both victims were squatters in thebuilding, but were found to have had no connectionto the fire. They were taken to a local hospital,treated for smoke inhalation and released.

The Red Bank Fire Department awarded Lt.George its Medal of Valor and subsequentlypromoted him to the rank of fire captain.

The Newark District became aware only lastsummer of the hero within its ranks when Georgerequested annual leave to attend an awardsceremony. Pressed to explain, he revealed that hewas the guest of honor for the annual awardsceremony of the Monmouth, N.J., chapter of the"200 Club," an organization that honors acts ofbravery and valor on the part of firefighters and lawenforcement officers.

George's interest in firefighting was sparked bythe family of a high school friend. Withencouragement from the friend's father and uncle,he became involved in the Red Bank department'sactivities as a teenager and joined as an adultvolunteer in May 1992. George became an INSdetention enforcement officer in August 1997 afterworking for the county corrections department.

George trains and responds to fire alarms onlyduring his time away from the detention facility,where his work schedule can put him on duty at anytime of day.

The two fields -- detention and firefighting -- doshare some useful connections, he said. Forexample, his training in fighting fires and handlinghazardous materials has helped in his job as thehealth and safety officer at the Elizabeth facility inwhich he functions as a liaison with local fire andemergency medical crews. Similarly, the Spanishlanguage training that he received in the detentionofficer training course has helped in communicatingwith members of Red Bank's sizable Hispaniccommunity.

These days, Detention Officer George respondsto a very different set of emergencies on thehomefront, following the birth of his first child onSept. 19.

Steven George

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The Los Angeles District is helping to traintomorrow's leaders through its sponsorshipof the Junior INS Explorers Post 1891.

Started in August 1998, the post'smembership has grown from eight cadets to 12 cadets. Supported by the efforts ofseveral of the district's inspectors andadjudications officers, it provides trainingand activities in various disciplines, such as character building, service and physicaldiscipline.

Training for the cadets is conductedjointly with the U.S. Customs ExplorersPost 2720 at Los Angeles InternationalAirport. Cadets not only get an opportunityto explore potential careers, but to also soakup first-hand experience of what a specificjob entails. Both posts provide youths withthe opportunity to take part in federalenforcement-related activities within theCustoms Service and the INS.

Field trips to the San Ysidro Port-of-Entry and the Imperial Beach Border Patrolstation are used to acquaint the cadets withthe lives and functions of INS staff. Cadets

experience how technology is used to spotillegal border crossing attempts and observethe use of specially trained dogs that detectillegal drugs in baggage and vehicles.

In addition, the cadets have taken on anarray of community projects, such asorganizing clean-ups of local beaches androadsides through California's "Adopt-A-Highway" program. The post's color guardsquad performs at citizenship ceremoniesand other district-sponsored programs.

Cadets are required to participate in a10-week course that focuses on a career,either with the INS, another lawenforcement agency or in the private sector.The courses are designed to provide youthactivities and training with emphasis onethics, responsibility, leadership andcommunity service.

The chief advisor to the post isDistrict Adjudications Officer CesarBaldemor, who is assisted by ImmigrationInspectors Carmen Lee, Ana Castro andRick Geolino.

Los Angeles District's Explorers postputs youth on the path to leadership

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, a member ofthe Senate's immigration subcommittee, onAug. 29 visited the Wichita INS sub-officeto take the pulse of immigration issues inhis home state of Kansas.

The senator heard that the Wichitaoffice has cut the processing time forcitizenship applications (Form N400) tobetween three to seven months, close tothe six-month goal set by the agency forprocessing such applications. It comparesfavorably with an average waiting time ofnine to 10 months just two years ago. TheWichita office recorded a 27 percentincrease in the number of applications itreceived last year.

On the enforcement side of the office, ithandled 63 criminal prosecutions last year,which was more than double the numberhandled three years before. Prosecutionshave more than doubled during the lastthree years to 63.

Opened as a legalization office in 1987,the Wichita office now also providesenforcement support for all of the state, but14 counties near Kansas City. It has a 21-member staff.

Sen. Brownback was accompanied onthe visit by Kansas City District DirectorMike Heston and Assistant DistrictDirector for Management Hope Ortiz.

Sen. Brownback tours the Wichita office,surveys immigration issues in the heartland

U.S. Sen. Brownback (center) greets DistrictAdjudications Officers Floyd Jennings andTrendel Sheffield in Wichita.

Senator Brownback (middle) is pictured with (fromright) Assistant District Director for ManagementHope Ortiz, District Director Mike Heston, SupervisorySpecial Agent Lynn Phetteplace and Assistant U.S.Attorney Mike Christensen.

Color Guard participants Darina Vaquera, Rafael Campos,George Lopez, Luis De Leon, and Martha Cruz march anddisplay their post's colors at a Multicultural Day celebrationof the Los Angeles District.