GRAPEVINE

By DAVID ELLIS

The U.S. Border Patrol thinks Operation Desert Storm may explain why the number of Latin Americans caught trying to cross the border from Mexico declined dramatically in late January. In Laredo and Del Rio, Texas, border arrests were down as much as 40%, compared with the same month a year ago. Arrests in Yuma, Ariz., decreased 30%. Immigration officials say Mexico is rife with rumors that the U.S. government is drafting illegal aliens and shipping them off to fight in the war. The prospect of combat hasn't deterred some Mexican nationals already living in the U.S., however, from trying to join the military. Army recruiters contend the aliens attempt to enlist, mistakenly believing they can obtain citizenship.

With reporting by Linda Williams