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ByAliciaA.Caldwell TheAssociatedPress WASHINGTON Nearly a year after the Obama ad- ministration launched a massive public relations campaign to dispel ru- mors of a free pass for im- migrant families crossing the border illegally, inter- nal intelligence files from the Homeland Security De- partment suggest that ef- fort is failing. Hundreds of immigrant families caught illegally crossing the Mexican bor- der between July and Sep- tember told U.S. immigra- tion agents they made the dangerous trip in part be- cause they believed they would be permitted to stay in the United States and collect public benefits. The interviews with im- migrants by federal agents were intended to help the Obama administration un- derstand what might be driving a puzzling surge in the numbers of border crossings that started over the summer. Administration efforts to stop the flow of immigrant families,primarilyfromCen- tral America, have included public service campaigns in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to highlight the dangers and consequences of making the trek. The Associated Press obtained copies of the in- terview summaries, which were compiled in reports by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Intelligence. They said hundreds of people travel- ing as part of families con- sistently cited opportuni- ties to obtain permission to stay in the U.S., claim asylum and receive un- specified benefits. Immi- grants spoke of "permisos," or a pass to come into the United States. The report "is not in- tended to be a compre- hensive analysis of the sit- uation," said department spokeswoman Marsha Ca- tron, adding that troubles in the immigrants' home countries likely contributed to their flight as well. Although the Obama ad- ministration has explained that immigrants who cross the U.S. border illegally can be deported, lengthy back- logs of more than 456,000 cases mean that immi- grants can effectively re- main in the U.S. for years before a judge decides whether they should leave the country. Also, recent court rulings have com- plicated the government's plans to hold families in im- migration jails pending de- portation proceedings. Im- migrants living in the U.S. illegally generally are not eligible for public benefits, except that children may re- ceive free or reduced meals in public schools. Homeland Security Sec- retary Jeh Johnson said the rising number of border crossings by families and children was due to "push factors" in Central America, such as crime and violence. Federal agents inter- viewed 345 people travel- ing with family members between July 7 and Sept. 30, according to the five- page report obtained by the House Judiciary Committee and shared with the AP. The interviews did not focus on what prompted the immi- grants to leave their home countries, though many did mention gang and family vi- olence as factors. RUMORS Immigrantscaughtatborderbelievefamiliescanstay By Kristin J. Bender The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO State offi- cials for the first time are fining California water sup- pliers for failing to meet a mandated 25 percent re- duction in water use in the state's battle against a wide- spread drought. The $61,000 fines are being imposed on Beverly Hills, Indio, Redlands and the Coachella Valley Water District. Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said the city learned of the fine late Thursday and said officials will seek direction on how to respond from the City Council on Tuesday. He de- clined to elaborate. Representatives from Beverly Hills, Indio and Coachella Valley Water Dis- trict were not available for comment Friday. For a fourth straight month, Californians as a whole have cut back water consumption by more than 25 percent since Gov. Jerry Brown put that mandate into effect last June. "Millions of Californians have saved water during the summer months, which are the four most critical months to save water," said State Water Resources Con- trol Board Chairwoman Fe- licia Marcus. "This is im- portant and wonderful, and we are thankful for all of the effort by individu- als and agencies. Now, we need to keep it up as best we can, even as we hope for as much rain and snow as we can safely handle." In September, Califor- nians reduced water use by more than 26 percent. Statewide cutbacks amounted to 27 percent in August, 31 percent in July and 27 percent in June. That put the state more than halfway toward its goal ofsaving1.2millionacre-feet of water between June 2015 and February 2016. An acre-foot or 325,851 gallons is about enough water to supply two house- holds for a year. "Up and down the state, residents and water sup- pliers are making the nec- essary sacrifices needed to help California meet its conservation goals. How- ever, some urban water sup- pliers simply have not met the requirements laid be- fore them," said Cris Carri- gan, director of the Office of Enforcement. DROUGHT Water suppliers fined for failure to cut back RICHPEDRONCELLI—THEASSOCIATEDPRESSFILE A worker washes a car at Bob's Car Wash in Roseville. By Vivian Salama and Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press WASHINGTON A small number of U.S. special op- erations forces will be sent to northern Syria to work with local troops in the fight against Islamic State militants, the White House announced Friday, mark- ing the first time Amer- icans will be deployed openly on the ground in the country. President Barack Obama ordered the de- ployment of fewer than 50 commandos to help coalition forces coordi- nate with local troops, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. Earnest insisted their role should not be de- scribed as a "combat mis- sion," saying the troops would train, advise and assist local forces in an intensification of the U.S. effort against the Islamic State group. He acknowl- edged, however, the forces would be taking risks in a dangerous part of the world, where the U.S. also is conducting airstrikes. "There's no denying the serious risk they will be facing," Earnest said, but "they are not in a combat mission." Officials said the U.S. troops would go into Syria over the next few weeks and likely spend less than two months there at a time. A senior defense of- ficial did not rule out ad- justing or expanding the U.S. effort as conditions in Syria change. U.S. troops have been on the ground in Syria be- fore, Earnest said, noting a rescue mission more than a year ago and a more re- cent raid. Officials said those types of unilateral raids could still happen. Although the number of troops is small, it marks an escalation of U.S. involve- ment in the fight against the Islamic State, which controls a large part of northern Syria and has its self-proclaimed cap- ital in the Syrian city of Raqqa. The move comes after weeks of delibera- tion on how to revive the struggling effort in Syria and the failed training and equipping mission there. OBAMA'S ORDER Feds say US commandos are heading into Syria 525 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff (530) 527-5272 Mon.–Fri.8am-5pm Saturday by appointment Locally owned & operated *See redemption form for complete details. Offer expires 12/13/2015. Void where prohibited. The Reward Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Copyright © 2015 Michelin North America, Inc. All rights reserved. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 3 B