Thread: Arrested Couple Thought Illegal Immigration Easier At Charlo

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/5044484/detail.html

Arrested Couple Thought Illegal Immigration Easier At Charlotte Douglas, Indictment Claims

POSTED: 11:22 p.m. EDT September 30, 2005

Charlotte, NC -- It's easy to illegally immigrate to Charlotte through Douglas international airport--that's what Ritesh Shah and Sangita Shah told an investigator.

And that makes Charlotte traveler Bill Phillips pretty uneasy.

A federal grand jury Thursday indicted the Shahs on charges of possessing and trying to use phony documents to enter the country.

The Shahs are natives of India, according to the indictment.

"You never think it's gonna happen to your airport," said Phillips. "You see it on TV all the time--it's a scary thing."

On September 3rd the Shahs came through the international terminal at Charlotte Douglas and allegedly showed immigration officials forged passports and drivers licenses from the United Kingdom.

According to the indictment Ritesh Shah said he was told, by somebody, that it was easier to enter the United States through Charlotte.

Bob Vaughn says he would expect to hear about illegal immigration in bigger cities.

"Maybe New York or Miami but not Charlotte," said Vaughn. "This is a fairly middle of the way place but I guess it can happen anywere."

Obviously not in their case.