WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials are
                  meeting on Friday to find ways to prevent border crossing deaths and to
                  improve crime-fighting.

                  In San Diego, officials will discuss the soaring number of migrant deaths
                  along the Mexican border after U.S. border-tightening moves to stem the
                  flood of illegal crossings from Mexico into the United States.

                  FBI Director Louis Freeh is making his first-ever visit to Mexico City to
                  discuss a range of thorny crime and law enforcement issues.

                  Cooperation on migrant safety

                  On the issue of border deaths, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
                  Service says 254 migrants died in unsuccessful efforts to cross safely into the
                  United States last year.

                  INS says information supplied by U.S. counties along the border for fiscal
                  year 1998 shows 84 persons drowned trying to cross into the United States
                  and another 84 died from heat exposure.

                  Motor vehicle accidents and cold weather also were responsible for deaths,
                  officials said. As many as 30 Mexicans died of unknown causes, officials
                  said.

                  U.S. Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and INS Commissioner Doris
                  Meissner will meet in San Diego on the migrant safety issue with Mexican
                  Deputy Attorney General Eduardo Ibarrola and Undersecretary for North
                  America Juan Rebolledo.

                  The officials have scheduled a news conference Friday at 7 p.m. EDT (4
                  p.m. local time), where they hope to announce cooperation on migrant safety
                  at the border.

                  One proposal to be discussed calls for a U.S.-sponsored education program
                  on the dangers of illegal border crossings. The messages would be
                  broadcast through public service announcements from radio stations on both
                  sides of the border.

                  The INS says its proposals are intended to build on a border safety initiative
                  launched last June.

                  A cautious relationship

                  Freeh's meetings in the Mexican capital with Attorney General Jorge
                  Madrazo Cuellar and others are intended to improve the cautious
                  growing relationship between U.S. and Mexican law-enforcement
                  officials.

                  "It is essential that the United States and Mexico work together more
                  closely against major crimes that are having an impact on both nations,"
                  Freeh said in a written statement issued upon his departure from Washington.

                  Freeh's upbeat statement avoided any criticism of police corruption or other
                  Mexican law enforcement problems.

                  U.S. officials privately express both frustration and sympathy with Mexico's
                  attempts to root out corruption among its anti-drug forces.

                  Also on the agenda is the sensitive issue of extradition and deportation of
                  fugitives from Mexico. U.S. officials cite figures showing progress in
                  Mexican cooperation on the issue in the past year, but dozens of U.S.
                  fugitives remain in Mexican hands.

                  Working together to fight crime

                  Freeh's meetings Friday also are designed to focus on improving bilateral
                  cooperation. The FBI opened a training program in November designed to
                  "enhance mutual assistance in criminal investigations."

                  The FBI director said he will discuss specialized training for Mexican law
                  enforcement in evidence collection and other technical programs. Freeh said
                  Mexico is working with the Uunited States in fingerprint and stolen vehicle
                  programs.

                  He promised to explore other information services programs in which the
                  United States may help Mexican authorities.

                  Freeh plans to meet with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Davidow and
                  federal law enforcement authorities -- including his FBI agents stationed in
                  Mexico City -- before returning home late Friday.

                   CNN's Justice Department Producer Terry Frieden contributed to this
                                            report