U.S. and Multinational Coalition Disrupts Migrant Smuggling Operations

• NCJ Number: 191386
• Journal: Global Issues Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 12-14
• Author(s): Joseph R. Greene
• Date Published: August 2001
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Downloaded October 26, 2001.

Annotation

This article profiles the efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in developing multinational strategies to stop migrant smuggling.

Abstract

Since 1997, the INS has countered the trafficking in human beings with the national Anti-Smuggling Strategy, part of the agency's Interior Enforcement Strategy. The strategy involves overseas districts and domestic district and sector offices engaging in a service-wide, integrated enforcement effort to identify, dismantle, or disrupt alien smuggling organizations. The INS agents target complex, sophisticated alien smuggling organizations that are international in scope. INS officers deployed in source and transit countries work closely with host government authorities to interdict smuggled migrants, both documented and undocumented, before they reach U.S. shores. This is accomplished through joint initiatives with foreign law enforcement officials, information-gathering that targets smugglers and their organizations, and training host government authorities and air carriers in the detection of fraudulent documents. INS has expanded its ability to combat migrant smuggling through its Global Reach initiative, which deploys greater enforcement assets overseas. Currently, there are 40 offices worldwide with permanent INS staff. They are involved in training foreign law enforcement and airline officials in identifying fraudulent documents; improving liaison and cooperation with host county officials to deter migrant smuggling; developing information for the successful prosecution of alien smugglers in the United States and in host countries; and strengthening the cooperation of host country migration and law enforcement officials in investigating and prosecuting smugglers. Another program, the Border Safety Initiative, involves the United States and Mexico in a bi-national strategy to reduce the injuries and fatalities of migrants who attempt to cross the U.S. southern border.