Thread: MD-11 illegal immigrants found in van on I-95 in Maryland

11 illegal immigrants found in van on I-95 in Maryland
By: Freeman Klopott

August 7, 2009 Authorities discovered 11 illegal immigrants traveling from Houston in a van pulled over for speeding by Maryland State Police on Interstate 95, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman confirmed.

The group of illegal immigrants, which included two minors -- one from Guatemala, the other from Mexico -- had "visible cuts and scrapes, poor hygiene, dirty clothing and limited belongings,Ó an ICE agent wrote in a sworn statement filed in Maryland's federal court. Their appearance, the agent wrote, was "consistent with individuals who enter the U.S. illegally by walking through the desert along the U.S./Mexico border.Ó

ICE spokeswoman Gillian Brigham said nine of the illegal immigrants were being held for immigration violations and two had been released for humanitarian reasons. She could not say which of those caught were released, citing privacy concerns.

The van's two drivers were charged with transporting illegal immigrants for financial gain after being pulled over in Perryville early Sunday morning, court documents said. Both men told authorities they were employed by Transportes Amigos, a Houston-based bus company. They had each been paid $600 for the trip. A passenger manifest showed that the 15-seat van started out with 20 riders. Attempts to contact the bus company were unsuccessful.

One of the drivers, Leonel De la Riva, had his 8-year-old daughter with him, the agent wrote. He reportedly told ICE agents that it was his third job for Transportes Amigos. On his first trip, he was arrested in South Carolina by local police who later informed him that 11 of the people in his van were illegal immigrants.

Jose Maldonado, the other driver, denied knowing anything about the passengers' legal status, the agent wrote. According to court documents, he was the owner of a different van pulled over by Virginia State Police in August 2007. Inside, police found 15 illegal immigrants. Maldonado was not driving.

Marilu Ramirez-Martinez was a passenger on the van pulled over Sunday. She reportedly told investigators that she was among a group of eight woman who crossed the U.S./Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. She said she paid $3,500 to be brought to a stash house in Houston. She paid Transportes Amigos $700 for a ride to New York, where she planned to go to school and work.


fklopott@washingtonexaminer.com

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/52611442.html

ICE spokeswoman Gillian Brigham said nine of the illegal immigrants were being held for immigration violations and two had been released for humanitarian reasons. She could not say which of those caught were released, citing privacy concerns.

I would like to know why. If it was for family reasons then locate the rest of the family and deport them all. You just dont let them go.

With a business name of Transportes Amigos , there's no way you don't know what you are doing and it sounds like the L.E. has been in the habit of letting everyone go each time since he was free to keep doing it over and over again. What a joke this is. Is it really slowing down

She said she paid $3,500 to be brought to a stash house in Houston. She paid Transportes Amigos $700 for a ride to New York, where she planned to go to school and work.