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Page 1 of 5 Visas to western nations for a price who can afford.
US Visas Said Sold on Mexican Street for $1500 MONTERREY, Mexico () - U.S. Consulate staff in the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo who have been charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud sold visas on the sidewalk at up to $1,500 a time, according to a court document seen on Thursday. An affidavit by an investigator in the case said that for four months, four employees -- one U.S. citizen and three Mexicans -- drummed up business on the street outside one of the busiest consulates on the U.S.-Mexico border. The accused sold non-immigrant visas for fees many times their actual $100 cost. Last week, the State Department shut down the consulate's visa unit and agents of the diplomatic security service interviewed consulate employees. The four have appeared in a federal court in Texas where they have not yet entered a plea. Bond was set at $150,000 for Miguel Security has been a priority along the 2,000-mile border since Sept. 11, Across the border from Laredo, Texas, the consulate received more than 300,000 applications for non-immigrant visas from tourists, students, scholars and border residents during 2001. |