Poor leadership at ICE cited as security threat

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s ability to gather and share intelligence data, conduct the investigations needed to guard the nation’s borders against terrorists and enforce immigration law is being challenged by a growing number of ICE supervisors and agents. Both supervisory and rank-and-file personnel, in numerous interviews, said the Department of Homeland Security agency is overwhelmed by low morale, mismanagement and the lack of a clearly defined mission, and said the lack of effective leadership threatens its ability to defend the United States against a new terrorist attack. At least two congressional committees are reviewing the accusations and have met with ICE supervisors and agents to discuss the matter. Read the story here.

Border agents are bracing for expected surge of immigrants

A renewed focus on immigration reform after the election by the Bush administration is making some Border Patrol agents nervous. They are worried that misinformation about an “amnesty” program will trickle down to prospective immigrants by word-of-mouth, resulting in a surge in illegal immigration similar to the one noted last spring, after President Bush announced plans for a foreign guest-worker program in January. Already there have been increases in apprehensions borderwide during this month, compared to the same period a year ago. While the reason for this increase is unclear, Border Patrol union leaders fear that with recent immigration reform discussions between U.S. and Mexican officials making headlines in both countries, an increase in illegal border-crossing traffic is sure to follow. Read the story here.

Nations ponder uniting benefits

Thousands of workers in the United States and Mexico could be eligible for Social Security benefits under a proposed agreement between the two nations. But Republican members of Congress are concerned that the proposal may benefit illegal immigrants who did not have permission to work in the United States. Under the agreement, Mexican workers who have divided their working lives between the two countries would be eligible for partial U.S. or Mexican retirement benefits based on the combined credits earned from both countries. U.S. citizens working in Mexico also would qualify for partial benefits in both countries. Read the story here.