Man who posed as illegal immigrant released[Texas]

AP ^ | 11 Mar 2008 | AP

[BGHater]

A man who says he posed as an illegal immigrant for years to dodge criminal charges was back at home with his family in Central Texas.

Saul Espinoza, 36, was detained for nearly two months in San Antonio before being released last night. He was allowed to join his family in Boerne pending a final decision in his case.

Immigration officials still haven't recognized him as a U.S. citizen.

Espinoza said he duped authorities for years and avoided criminal charges by telling officials he was Joel Garza, an illegal immigrant from Mexico.

But Espinoza's attorney said the father of 5 was actually born in Brownsville and has the school records, baptismal certificate, and U.S. birth certificate to prove it.

Espinoza has been arrested several times for theft and drug charges.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement tried to deport him to Mexico after his latest legal trouble before officials decided to take another look at Espinoza's case.

[COBOL2Java]

This guy’s caught on to the fact that illegals can break laws with impunity.

[wilco200]

I don’t want special treatment. I just want to be treated like an illegal alien.

[The_Republican]

Wow! Wouldn’t this make a nice line during a debate with Hildabeast? There are people now who break the law and are pretending to be Illegal Immigrants to avoid prosecution......this has gotten completely out of hand....

[Retired Greyhound]

Ah, the benefits of being an illegal.

[girlscout]

I vote we go ahead and ship him off the Mexico.

[Vigilanteman]

Isn't that precious? Even a criminal is smart enough to know that illegal aliens get treated better than American citizens, at least when it comes to lawbreaking.

Anything passed which gives illegal aliens amnesty and special rights ought to be worded in a way that would allow citizens to become illegal aliens and apply for the same benefits. Otherwise, it should be overturned under the 14th amendment.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

If Franz Kafka were alive today; he'd give up on writing fiction, and become a news reporter in the U.S. (immigrating illegally, of course).

[org.whodat]

Ah, the benefits of being an illegal.

And in this case he still isn't in jail where he belongs.

[Perchant]

The government was arguing during the Ramos and Compean trial that the agents should have just let the drug smuggler return to Mexico without chasing him on the assumption that he was an illegal alien because he had Hispanic facial features. If the guy had blond hair, the agents should stop him at all costs because he is obviously a US citizen fleeing illegally across the border.

[chaos_5]

I don’t want special treatment. I just want to be treated like an illegal alien.

You racist, jingoist, bigot nativist. Don't you know illegals are super citizens! /s

[jgpatl]

He should be shipped to Mexico and then we can see how they treat “illegal immigrants” there. Think they’ll give him free medical care, perhaps educate his children when they join him? Maybe give him a driving test in English?

[isaiah55version11_0]

bttt

[dragnet2]

This guy’s caught on to the fact that illegals can break laws with impunity.

[dragnet2]

Espinoza said he duped authorities for years and avoided criminal charges by telling officials he was Joel Garza, an illegal immigrant from Mexico.

How dare him.

Impersonating an illegal alien should be followed by stiff penalties.

We should demand all the free stuff, medical care, and income taxes he avoided by paid to the Mexican embassy immediately.

[dragnet2]

Good point.