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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

The Immigration and Naturalization Service on Wednesday said it will begin a tougher border crossing policy that could affect paperless Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona tribal members.

Starting next week, all Mexican citizens who don't have a new laser visa card or have proof they have applied for one will be turned away unless they have a Mexican passport and a non-immigrant visa. As many as 60 percent of the current border crossers are using old cards that will no longer be accepted, says the INS.

Some Tohono O'odham tribal members don't have documents to prove their American or Mexican citizenship. A bill in Congress would grant American citizenhip to all tribal members.

Get the Story:
Border crossers need new ID cards (The Arizona Republic 9/27)
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Get the Bill:
To clarify the citizenship eligibility for certain members of the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona, and for other purposes (H.R.1502)

Related Stories:
Tohono O'odham elder dies (8/29)
O'odham citizenship bill pushed (6/29)
O'odham delegation on way to D.C. (5/31)
Tribe protests border policies (5/29)
Citizenship for Mexican O'odham sought (1/12)