Immigration bill envisions new farmworker program

WASHINGTON — Sweeping immigration legislation taking shape in the Senate will aim to overhaul the nation’s agriculture worker program to create a steady supply of labor for farmers and growers, who rely more than any other industry on workers who are living in the country illegally.

US released more than 2,000 illegal immigrants, report says

WASHINGTON — The Associated Press has learned that the Homeland Security Department released more than 2,000 illegal immigrants facing deportation from immigration jails in recent weeks because of looming budget cuts. It also planned to release 3,000 more during March.

29 people approved for delayed deportation

WASHINGTON — With less than two months to go before the Nov. 6 election, the Obama administration has approved applications from 29 illegal immigrants hoping to avoid deportation and get a work permit, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.

ICE employee in Douglas arrested in people-smuggling case

A Douglas woman who works for a federal immigration agency has been accused of using her home to stash illegal immigrants being smuggled into the U.S.

UA shares in grants for repatriation of American Indian items

The University of Arizona is sharing in more than $1.6 million in federal grant money to document and help return human remains and cultural objects to American Indian tribes.

Fewer Mexican illegal immigrants in US now

WASHINGTON — The number of Mexican immigrants living illegally in the U.S. has dropped significantly for the first time in decades, a dramatic shift as many illegal workers, already in the U.S. and seeing few job opportunities, return to Mexico.

Illegal immigrant dies after crossing Arizona border

An illegal immigrant died from exposure in the desert near Nogales over the weekend and two others were rescued in an unrelated incident, the Border Patrol says.