Posted on 06/03/2005 8:13:09 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Recio: Undocumented immigrants will not be set free in Brownsville
Jorge Enrique Vasquez Carrasco didnt expect jail time or to be deported when he got caught illegally entering the United States.
The 18-year-old Honduran man expected the same treatment as thousands of other undocumented immigrants who have been set free after receiving a notice to appear in court.
According to federal figures, almost 88 percent of immigrants who receive those notices never appear in court and stay illegally in the United States.
But U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio made a statement Thursday to Vasquez and six other Central Americans who were caught this week crossing the Rio Grande near Brownsville.
I want you to tell all your friends in Honduras that if they come through Brownsville, Texas, they will not be paroled into the system and they will be put in jail and deported, Recio told Vasquez in open court as he handed him a jail sentence that could keep him here until space opens at an immigration facility and he could be deported.
Vasquez and six others in his group pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor illegal entry charge.
Recio declined an interview, but federal officials said the immigrants will be held in a Cameron County jail until bed space could be found for them at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center near Bayview.
Although the federal facility is reported to be near its 850-bed capacity, ICE spokeswoman Letty Zamarripa said her agency is bound to carry out the federal judges sentence and relies on contracts with county jails to do so.
There is not a limit on how long a federal prisoner can stay in a county facility, she said.
According to the latest figures, there are at least 325 federal prisoners in Cameron County jails, including undocumented immigrants waiting to be transferred or deported.
Zamarripa said criminals and detainees from nations of interest such as those that support terrorism are give priority when moved from county jails to federal facilities.
We are removing detainees everyday, Zamarripa said of immigrants being deported from the Bayview facility. We have two flights a week with room for 120 on each flight in addition to two buses leaving each week.
Although there are no plans to expand the Bayview facility, Zamarripa said a 1,020-bed contract facility is expected to open in June near Pearsall, which could receive undocumented Central American and Brazilian immigrants caught in the Rio Grande Valley.
Nathan Selzer with the Valley Movement for Human Rights said undocumented immigrants are being put in danger while committing a non-violent and victimless crime and then being put in the same jails as real criminals.
Selzer said the situation would be most easily addressed through reform of the United States immigration policy.
But thats in the hands of President Bush and Congress and they refuse to do so, Selzer said.
schapa@brownsvilleherald.com
Denver & Rio Grande Western stock car
Southern cattle car
Five face charges of illegal alien smuggling
A U.S. INS inspector stands accused of smudging the reputation of the institution he served for more than 20 years, jailed for allegedly heading up what federal officials are calling a "major" immigrant smuggling ring.
"I don't know if you're guilty or not," U.S. Magistrate Felix Recio told the officer Thursday, "but this is certainly a black mark on the INS." After more than a year of investigation, authorities cracked down on a band of alleged smugglers they believe was led by Jose F. Lopez, a Brownsville immigration official. Lopez is accused of masterminding the operation and aiding hundreds of undocumented immigrants, allowing them entry through Brownsville.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sections/archive/topstoryjmp/5-18-01/M-18-1.htm
United States Magistrate Judge Felix Recio.
Contact Information
U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
600 E. Harrison, #203
Brownsville, TX 78520-7152
Phone: (956) 548-2701
Fax: (956) 548-2630
Chambers Staff
Felix Recio, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Lydia Villarreal, Secretary
Sally Garcia, Case Manager (956) 548-2548.
Jason Scott, Law Clerk
One way tickets, southbound only!
Got seven of 'em eh??? Mexico needs to watch that southern border a little better...And those Central Americans need to start calling themselves Mexicans if they want to get a free pass...
Nope, something wrong with this statement -
Nathan Selzer with the Valley Movement for Human Rights said undocumented immigrants are being put in putting themselves in danger while committing a non-violent and victimless crime and then being put in the same jails as real criminals.
That's better...
The judge is asking for an attempt on his life either from the political left in this country or most likely from the "coyotes" . If a Federal judge gets hurt or killed by alien smugglers what is the concensus of opinion of those of us on FR to the question : What will be the Bush administration reaction be?
That original statement was so laden with Papa Charlie Bravo Sierra that it almost slid off my screen.
The country is waking up--and the politicians are beginning to fear their wrath at the election polls.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio for Supreme Court Justice!!!
A great big FReeper SALUTE!!!
About time!
United States Magistrate Judge Felix Recio.
Contact Information
U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
600 E. Harrison, #203
Brownsville, TX 78520-7152
Phone: (956) 548-2701
Fax: (956) 548-2630
Chambers Staff
Felix Recio, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Lydia Villarreal, Secretary
Sally Garcia, Case Manager (956) 548-2548.
Jason Scott, Law Clerk
BTTT!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for responding. I intend to FAX a letter to the Judge praising his actions.
Great minds think alike. I just read your homepage and agree with 100% of everything you have there.
I tried to go the link you posted on the INS guy that was involved in the smuggling ring (post 42) but it didn't work. I then went to the Brownsville Herald to try to find it but no dice. Can you point me to the story?
I can't find it again!
bttt
Selzer said the situation would be most easily addressed through reform of the United States immigration policy.
The easiest way to fix this is to lock down the borders and let the world know, if you trespass, you will pay the consequences. At some point in time, Americans need to stand up and start protecting this country for the next generation.
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