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INS to beef up security at “tent city”
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Posted on Apr 30 1999
The US Immigration and Naturalization Service yesterday assured the Northern Marianas that it would address security concerns raised by local officials, but gave no definite plans when repatriation of undocumented Chinese nationals will begin.
Don Mueller, of the INS public affairs office in Washington, said in a phone interview they will be sending more immigration officers to Tinian next week to beef up their presence in the island municipality and install better perimeter fence to contain close to 500 illegal aliens held at the “tent city”.
The INS plans to detail more security and reinforce fencing at the Northfield come on the heels of complaints raised by local authorities regarding inadequate security at the holding station.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio underscored the need to reinforce security around the temporary housing not only to protect the Chinese illegals but the residents of the island municipality as well.
The governor explained putting in place adequate fencing and security surrounding the area would prevent possible escape of the undocumented aliens, as well as make it easier for authorities to contain riots that may erupt inside the holding station.
“My understanding is there is a type of fencing right now and we just have to put up a better fence,” Mueller said, adding that the US immigration office is looking at detailing more officers to augment their staff on Tinian.
However, Mueller admitted INS is yet to determine how soon it could start repatriation of the illegal aliens, whose documents are still under review by the agency. “INS is interviewing these migrants and if any of them have a legitimate fear of being returned then we won’t send these people back home,” he said.
“We’re going to do this as quickly as possible,” Mueller said, but a this point, he added “It is impossible to give a timeline.”
While INS officials are expecting more Chinese boats that would attempt to enter the US territories illegally, there were no plans to keep the “tent city” a permanent holding area, according to Mueller.
