Border Patrol plans to release 64 immigrants until hearings

Star-Telegram Border Bureau ^ | Oct. 08, 2003 | Karen Brooks

[Dubya]

LAREDO - More than 60 immigrants from Central America recently caught in Webb County trying to cross the border illegally will be released today from the custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol while they await deportation hearings, officials said Tuesday.

An apparent overload of the system in the Laredo sector means that the policy of releasing immigrants from outside of Mexico, who typically have a hearing before they're flown back to their home countries, could continue indefinitely, officials said.

Local Border Patrol authorities said they expect more information from the Department of Homeland Security today.

They declined to give the reason for the release, but city officials said they were told that San Antonio regional offices decided the sector could no longer hold so many immigrants for the weeks it takes to get their cases heard by a judge.

"It's very upsetting," said Laredo Mayor Betty Flores, who says the city isn't prepared for an influx of people who cannot legally work and have nowhere to go.

Officials in San Antonio, who oversee the Laredo sector of the Border Patrol, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

All but about 10 of the 64 immigrants had made plans to stay with relatives in the United States by late Tuesday and would not be stranded in Laredo, said Lee Bargerhuff, assistant chief of the Border Patrol's Laredo sector.

While undocumented Mexicans are typically deported to the border, those from other countries are routinely held for deportation hearings before they are flown back to their home countries.

The immigrants who are released are considered nonviolent and have no U.S. criminal records, Bargerhuff said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Karen Brooks, (956) 728-1007 kbrooks@star-telegram.com

[TADSLOS]

Man, your on a roll today. I'm not going to be able to eat dinner at this rate. Hand me the Mylanta.

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[joesnuffy]

more like a walleye tournament than Homeland Security
catch and release?
why bother catching them in the first place
save us money and disband the Border Patrol and INS and put
real troops on the border
imo

[Pro-Bush]

The immigrants who are released are considered nonviolent and have no U.S. criminal records,

You know our national security is in jeopardy when a statement like this doesn't shock anyone...No outrage. Next story.

[dennisw]

Word will get back to Central America at wrap speeed. Uncle Sucker has thrown open the gates. Come to ground here all you floatsom and jetsom of failed latino nations.

[dennisw]

= = = warp speed

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[evaporation-plus]

The immigrants who are released are considered nonviolent and have no U.S. criminal records, Bargerhuff said.

........and they promised they would come back so they could be deported.

YEAH, RIGHT.

[Xenalyte]

And I'm sure all 60 will stay right where they're supposed to, and show up for their deportation hearings on time, and everything. Life is good.

[VU4G10]

yeah yeah .. whatever

[Pro-Bush]

Ping. Illegal aliens set free to roam about until deportation hearing. (They don't even have to put up Bail)

[Dubya]

LOl
My car is in the shop and trying to make the day worth while.

[Dubya]

I wonder if after we catch them we give them everything free.? And a welfare check to boot?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Why don't each of the county commissioners, and the state legislators offer to have these illegal immigrants sleep on their empty sofas for the time being? Wouldn't that be the compassionate thing to do?

[Dubya]

That would be nice of them and it should be their resposibility to take good care of them. LOl

[Dubya]

Very intresting thanks. Good luck on getting the job.