Incompetent INS New INS Guidelines Soften '96 Laws Immigration officials have begun distributing written guidelines to their field offices on what factors to consider in deciding not to prosecute certain cases, softening the impact of tough laws passed more than four years ago. The 13-page memo points out such factors as the length of immigrants' residence in the United States, their immigration history and any criminal history, which can be used in deciding not to prosecute. But it became clear something had to be done with the '96 laws. But as tens of thousands of travelers prepare to drive to Mexico during the December holidays, the Mexican government is asking them to refuse to offer bribes to border guards. Officials concede covert payoffs are common as tourists and immigrants living in the United States make their way through customs and immigration officers stationed on roadways leading to Mexico's interior.
Travelers contend the bribes, known in Spanish as mordidas, speed up inspections or bypass hassles.
However, this report indicates that in many cases the LAPD agents could have violated a municipal ordinance which prohibits them to cooperate directly with the Federal Office. The report of the study made between March and August this year, and which covers 165 cases, indicates that at least in 90 of them there could be LAPD violations. Hastings, Nebraska Investigators Tie Meth Explosion to Dealers From Mexico Small methamphetamine labs in houses and apartments may get most of the attention. But they produce only a trickle of the meth in Nebraska, law enforcement agents say. Law enforcement officials say that only a few immigrants distribute the drug.