Some improvement at the border

The good news: overall Border Patrol apprehensions of illegal immigrants are down.

The bad news: while some of it is the result of discouragement of potential crossings by the slightly increased presence of National Guard troops, it is likely that most of the drop can be attributed to extreme heat (word is getting out about the immigrants who die of thirst in the Arizona desert) and a temporary lull as the action moves east and west.

The Border Patrol reports that illegal crossing attempts are up in Texas, New Mexico and near San Diego. Also, it is reported that the coyotes - the term for professional illegal immigrant transporters - are raising their prices to $1,000 a head. There are two ways to look at this: the first is that it is riskier business to assist an illegal crossing these days. If there, indeed, are fewer customers, prices may have been raised to compensate. A coyote gotta eat too.

As for New Mexico, Border Patrol chief David Aguilar said that the 13% increase is largely due to the fact that New Mexico has been short-changed on border control resources in the past.

Overall, the good news outweighs the bad news. Let's hope the trend continues.