U.S. has spent the money to fly home nearly 64,000 illegal immigrants

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TUCSON, Arizona - The U.S. government has spent more than $51 million over the past four summers flying nearly 64,000 illegal immigrants back to the Mexican interior after they were caught crossing the border.

The flights are aimed at reducing the chances of immigrants recrossing the border by flying them to Mexico City, rather than busing them back to the Mexican border where they are susceptible to smugglers awaiting them with offers to try again. Illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico can't take the flights.

But the Arizona Daily Star reported Sunday that critics said the program hasn't made a substantial difference in lessening smuggling or the number of deaths that occur as immigrants sneak across the border.