INS Special Agent Is Arrested in Sale of Permits

A U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service special agent in Los Angeles has been arrested after authorities alleged that she sold an immigration permit to an undercover officer, officials said Friday.

Jacquelyn Negrete was arrested Thursday by the Justice Department’s office of inspector general.

Negrete is the third employee of the Los Angeles INS district office arrested within the last six months on charges of falsifying immigration papers. The two previous INS staffers arrested were clerks. Negrete is a law enforcement officer with access to sensitive investigations, files and documents.

The arrests come as U.S. officials seek to crack down on the trade in fraudulent documents, which authorities say is undermining efforts to control illegal immigration.

According to a federal complaint, a Canadian man who was “put in touch” with Negrete by his golf instructor told authorities he purchased a permit last year from the agent for $3,000. An official posing as the Canadian’s brother arranged to buy a similar document, the complaint states, leading to Negrete’s arrest.

A grand jury is expected to consider whether to indict Negrete, who is free on bond.