PHOENIX — Three of the 11 Mexican survivors of Arizona's deadliest border crossing are going home after a judge on Monday granted them the right to leave the United States.
All 11 had been released from U.S. custody, given temporary work permits, jobs and housing in exchange for their cooperation in the trial against their alleged smuggler, Jesus Lopez-Ramos. Three have said they wish to go home to their families; the other eight say they will stay in Phoenix.
U.S. Magistrate Morton Sitver changed the conditions of their release Monday to allow them to return to Mexico.
Since they are witnesses against Lopez-Ramos, those who decide to return to Mexico must be ready to come back to the United States if needed during his trial.
Lopez-Ramos, 20, is the 12th survivor of the crossing that left 14 dead. He has been charged with bringing in illegal aliens, conspiracy to bring in illegal aliens and harboring illegal aliens.
The U.S. Border Patrol rescued all 12 from the desert east of Yuma last month. The group of illegal immigrants spent five days in the desert in temperatures above 115 degrees. After their rescue, doctors said they had all come within hours of death from dehydration.