http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/45883/

Immigration and customs official takes questions from GOP men

By Gary Lookadoo Staff Writer // garyl@nwanews.com

Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007

BELLA VISTA — Red Reyes, the resident agent in charge of the Fayetteville and Fort Smith offices of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, talked Friday about immigration and related matters at a meeting of the Republican Men of Benton County at Chef Bruce and Son in Bella Vista.

“ Immigration has always been a problem or an issue with everyone on both sides, ” he said. “ The big issue now is with the illegal population. It’s increasing, but we also have a legal population. I know, when I was with immigration in ’ 03, I recall naturalizing hundreds and hundreds of individuals living here. I’m confident they’re good citizens. ”

Reyes took questions from club members.

What’s done with illegal aliens when they are located and apprehended ? he was asked.

“ The policy I have in this office is if we encounter an illegal alien, we keep the illegal, unless such a person is sick or pregnant,” he said.

A club member, Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson, noted that Rogers Mayor Steve Womack has expressed interest in a federal program that trains cities to detain and question illegal aliens.

Reyes said his is the only government entity authorized both to arrest illegals in this country and to ask about their status.

Reyes declined to comment on a recent plan by Bank of America to provide accounts for people without requiring them to have a Social Security number.

He also declined to discuss the cases of two Border Patrol agents in the national news. The agents face charges after the 2005 shooting and minor wounding of an illegal immigrant.

The matter is a political issue, he said.

Asked to compare the immigration policies of Mexico with those of the United States, Reyes said all nations have more strict immigration rules than those of the United States.