FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1997                           (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

New Prosecutors and Staff to Bolster Efforts Against Border Crime

     WASHINGTON -- Twelve U.S. Attorneys offices will hire new
Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff to combat illegal
immigration and drug activity along the Southwest Border.
Attorney General Janet Reno today announced that 35 new attorneys
and 17 support staff have been allocated to six border districts
and six non-border districts with significant immigration or drug
activity emanating from the Southwest Border. 
 
     The Clinton Administration requested funding for these new
positions last year to bolster the comprehensive law enforcement
program along the Southwest Border that it launched in 1993.  The
new Assistant U.S. Attorneys who will be hired starting
immediately, will focus on all issues related to illegal
immigration and drugs, including alien smuggling, drug smuggling,
possession of fraudulent documents, illegal re-entry after
deportation and port-running.
  
     "The Southwest border has been a priority for the
Administration throughout its first term," said Reno.  "I am very
proud of what we have accomplished -- but we cannot rest. Over
the next four years we will continue our efforts to restore the
rule of law to the border, and these 35 new prosecutors will
increase our capacity to do even more." 
                                 
     Nineteen of the attorneys and all of the 17 support
positions will be permanently assigned.  The remaining 16
attorney positions will be appointed for a two-year term to allow
flexibility in responding to changing trends and needs in the
field.  At the end of the two year period conditions in these
districts will be evaluated and positions may be shifted to other
districts as needed.

     The new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff positions will be
allocated as follows:


District
Permanently
Assigned
Attorneys
2 Year Term
Attorneys
Support Staff


Arizona
2
2
2


Central
District of
California
(L.A.)

5
2


Northern
District of
California
(S.F.)


1


Southern
District of
California
(S.D.)
2
2
2


Northern
District of
Illinois
(Chicago)

2



Nevada

1



New Jersey

1



New Mexico
6

3


Oregon


1


Eastern
District of
Texas
(Beaumont)

1
1


Southern
District of
Texas
(Houston)
3
2
2


Western
District of
Texas (San
Antonio)
6

3


Total
19
16
17


                               ###

97-033