Nearly 300 illegal immigrants arrested near border

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http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...d-near-border/

Nearly 300 illegal immigrants arrested near border

By The Associated Press

Monday, March 8, 2010 at 10:27 p.m.

SAN DIEGO — The Department of Homeland Security says nearly 300 illegal immigrants were arrested at border checkpoints near San Diego over the weekend.

The department said Monday that 294 immigrants were found hidden in vehicles or were using fraudulent entry documents or documents legally issued to someone else. Among those arrested were 16 fugitives wanted on charges of battery, burglary, assault and probation violation.

The department says a Guatemalan national was arrested after border agents determined that a U.S. birth certificate and prison release authorization form he presented belonged to someone else.

Authorities say the man is awaiting arraignment at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles for allegedly making a false claim to U.S. citizenship.