Passage from Mexico growing more dangerous
Since the federal government brought in the National Guard to help tighten controls along the Mexican border two years ago, reports show fewer people are crossing. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says seizures of migrants dropped 20 percent at the border between 2006 and 2007, from 1,072,000 people to 858,000 last year.
Those migrants still determined to cross are increasingly vulnerable. Many of the traditional coyotes who would shepherd migrants all the way to their destination will no longer risk a crossing, and they've been replaced by a more transient, more desperate breed. SUSAN FERRISS in the Sacramneto Bee.