Afghan Man Captured Swimming Across Border [Texas Rio Grande]

KGBT4.com ^ | Aug 14, 2006 | Romeo Cantu

[SwinneySwitch]

HIDALGO

An Afghan man remained in federal custody in the Valley Monday after being caught illegally entering the country.

U.S. Border Patrol officials told Action 4 News that the 30-year-old man was captured around 3:00 p.m. Friday about 1 mile east of the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

As he swam across the Rio Grande, he was quickly apprehended by agents without incident, authorities said.

Because it is an ongoing investigation, Border Patrol refused to say much about the man other than that he was being detained and questioned by its agency and the FBI on charges of entering the country illegally.

The reason for the FBI interrogation is because the Afghanistan man comes from an area that is considered to be a country of special interest -- those countries with possible terrorist ties.

But on a larger-scale, the man from Afghanistan is considered to be an illegal immigrant from a country "Other Than Mexico", which the Border Patrol calls an OTM.

Already this year, agents have apprehended nearly 100,000 illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley sector, of those, about half or 49,000 are OTMs.

The big question is how are these OTMs getting into Mexico and crossing the U.S. borders, especially if they come from countries where they don't speak Spanish.

One theory, suggests these illegal immigrants that don't speak Spanish hide in large cities, like Mexico City, for about year and there take up the language and culture, trying to blend in.

Border Patrol agents said that during their questioning of the OTMs they're able to learn how these people are getting through Mexico and in the process agents are learning how to better protect the border.

Border patrol agents are conducting a background check on the Afghan man, but no word yet if he has any ties to any terrorist groups.

[SwinneySwitch]

"Already this year, agents have apprehended nearly 100,000 illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley sector, of those, about half or 49,000 are OTMs."

How many did they NOT apprehend?

[Suzy Quzy]

Rut Roh!!

[msnimje]

"Wet-Turbin?"

[msnimje]

OOPS --- "Wet-Turban?"

[SwinneySwitch]

¿Quién sabe Ping?

[DumpsterDiver]

ping

[mtbopfuyn]

Just someone with high morals wanting a job to provide for his poor wife and children. Nothing to see here. Move along.

[cripplecreek]

I see nothing....nothing.

[democrats_nightmare]

Ah its ok George Bush just tells me they are here to pick lettuce.....

[keithtoo]

Judging from recent events, he could have been caught swimming across the Rio Grande with 1000 cell phones, an 'I love killing infidels' t-shirt and a bag full of dynamite and the Fed's would have let him go due to lack of evidence.

[omega4412]

To Gitmo

[Brilliant]

Our reputation for having porus borders reaches all the way to Afghanistan, then.

[brownsfan]

"Just someone with high morals wanting a job to provide for his poor wife and children. Nothing to see here. Move along."

Could it be someone willing to do the terrorism Americans aren't willing to do?

[houeto]

Just wanting to kill the infidels that the Americans refuse to kill.

[houeto]

Thanks for the ping Swinney.

[dennisw]

Achmed the Muslim wetback

[the OlLine Rebel]

Is that politically correct?

[Hatteras]

It's amazing how fast word travels about that big sale at Walmart on cell phones...

[msnimje]

Is that politically correct?

Absolutely not.

[Publius6961]

Already this year, agents have apprehended nearly 100,000 illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley sector, of those, about half or 49,000 are OTMs.
This is meaningless in the "terrorism" context. How many are not "Spanish Speaking" would be entirely more useful, and reflect a little thought in the processs. Reporters are as dumm as bricks!

"The big question is how are these OTMs getting into Mexico and crossing the U.S. borders, especially if they come from countries where they don't speak Spanish. See point #1 above.

One theory, suggests these illegal immigrants that don't speak Spanish hide in large cities, like Mexico City, for about year and there take up the language and culture, trying to blend in.
First of all, I can effortlessly tell the difference between a Spanish speaking individual and an Arab muslim speaking Spanish. If Agents don't have that ability they should be replaced.
For a country that values its so-called national sovereignty, isn't this sloppy of them?
It certainly sounds like Mexico's problem during that period.

[freeperfromnj]

"The big question is how are these OTMs getting into Mexico

Probably via Central and South America.

[kilowhskey]

Is it ok to call an Afghan swimmer a wetback?
/sarcasm off

[TexasRepublic]

No way is that man a terrorist! He was on his way to Boseman Montana to attend English classes, doncha know?

[freeperfromnj]

He's just an old Afghan from the Rio Grande!

[Fighting Irish]

guest worker no doubt [/sarcasm]

[DogBarkTree]

Here's a northern conservative who might build the wall.

[seasoned traditionalist]

Ah its ok George Bush just tells me they are here to pick lettuce.....

....and do all the other jobs Americans don't want to do---like maybe, blow up the WTC?

Oops, you and I had better be putting on our flame retardants as it is not healthy or wise to criticize our illustrious Leader, regardless and even, if you voted for him (twice like I did) and like him for the most part, but totally disagree with him regarding his complete disregard and complete [in]action on border [in]security and his pro Shamnesty position.

I got my butt kicked all over the place last week (by a handful of "My Pres--Right or Wrong" Freepers) for criticizing the Dept of HLS, that complete idiot (Chertoff) and W for having appointed him and not doing something about both.

If we have the misfortune of another major terrie attack and it can be proved that whoever is responsible, waltzed across our border, then I wonder how these W apologists and blind supporters will react?

[Starboard]

"Wet-Turban?"

Camelback?

[FDNYRHEROES]

Achmed the Muslim wetback

Sounds vaguely similar to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"...perhaps Charles Hendrickson could provide the appropriate lyrics to a song entitled, "Achmed the Muslim wetback"...

[BW2221]

"Ah its ok George Bush just tells me they are here to pick lettuce....."

On the subject of border security and immigration, Bush has less credibility than Ted Kennedy.

[Starboard]

Oops, you and I had better be putting on our flame retardants as it is not healthy or wise to criticize our illustrious Leader, regardless and even, if you voted for him (twice like I did) and like him for the most part, but totally disagree with him regarding his complete disregard and complete [in]action on border [in]security and his pro Shamnesty position.

I agree with you, and I voted twice for him. Bush has dropped (ignored?) the ball on this IMO.

[seasoned traditionalist]

It's amazing how fast word travels about that big sale at Walmart on cell phones...

Ah, you get the ceegar for figuring this one out so quickly.

He no doubt heard about the "others" (not PC to call them Muzzies, don't you know) who have been buying cell phone by the thousands (for resale, ONLY and in order to make a little profit so they can feed and clothe their families) and decided to travel all the way here to get in on the action.

Hey, after all, is this not the land of milk and honey and of unlimited opportunities? /sarc

[demkicker]

He's just here to buy and sell cell phones to make a living.

[BW2221]

Remember Rudy didn't only run for mayor of New York on the Republican ticket, he also was the Liberal Party's candidate.

A quote from the Liberal Party of New York's Website in discussing its membership:

Republicans include: Senator Jacob Javits, Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz, also New York City Mayors John Lindsay, and Rudy Giuliani. Democrats include: Governors Averill Harriman, Hugh Carey, and Cuomo; Senators Moynihan, Schumer, and H. Clinton; also Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Clinton. In fact, since the Liberal Party's inception, no Democrat had ever won statewide office in New York State without our endorsement.

Nice company!

[wolfcreek]

I got my butt kicked all over the place last week (by a handful of "My Pres--Right or Wrong" Freepers) for criticizing the Dept of HLS, that complete idiot (Chertoff) and W for having appointed him and not doing something about both.


They were probably pikin on you because your a Newbie. Don't be disheartened until they completely ignore you.


Your position is based on the facts of this issue. Anyone who chooses to ignore those facts and follow anyone blindly is a dumb ass,IMO.

[radar101]

Tip of the iceberg!

[308MBR]

Oh come on now. Carlos Mencia says it's not a problem. All terrorists come in from Canada.

sarcasm off.

[wolfcreek]

I don't know about that! I just heard 60% of the population of NY city are foreign born. (no word on how many are illegal)

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Yeah, but he called him our "illustrious leader", that's codespeak for DU Troll.

(just kidding)

[308MBR]

....and take your guns, let your minor daughter have an abortion without your consent, tax you to death and put cameras scanning your town.

No thanks.

[Polyxene]

"Achmed the Muslim wetback"

I can hear him now -- "My name Jose Jimenez"

[308MBR]

Don't you back off either, and I like that tagline.

I'm getting flamed all over from people who are interested in euroweenies riding their bikes all over the continent. Even that could possibly be made slightly interesting if the riders had to run the entire two week race on one bicycle, and carry all the food, spare parts and tools needed for the day on their backs instead of having a van following them with six bikes on top and four mechanics, a chef and a nurse inside.

[308MBR]

I can understand his conflict, since he or his parents were probably brought in by Reagan's amnesty.

He's still an excellent comic and seems to be a good guy.

[capt. norm]

I liked in when the only Afghans I ever heard about looked like this:

If your Afhan gets "spirited" and runs from you....which they do, Lotsa' luck trying to catch him.

[Musket]

Hidalgo Texas. That's in Mexico, right?

[democrats_nightmare]

....and do all the other jobs Americans don't want to do---like maybe, blow up the WTC? Oops, you and I had better be putting on our flame retardants as it is not healthy or wise to criticize our illustrious Leader, regardless and even, if you voted for him (twice like I did) and like him for the most part, but totally disagree with him regarding his complete disregard and complete [in]action on border [in]security and his pro Shamnesty position. I got my butt kicked all over the place last week (by a handful of "My Pres--Right or Wrong" Freepers) for criticizing the Dept of HLS, that complete idiot (Chertoff) and W for having appointed him and not doing something about both. If we have the misfortune of another major terrie attack and it can be proved that whoever is responsible, waltzed across our border, then I wonder how these W apologists and blind supporters will react?

I hear you loud and clear have been flamed by many a Bushbot on this forum. Its scary when people value personalities over conservative principles. Have a great day DN