Border Patrol reports increase in human stash houses in Rio Grande Valley
by Sydney HernadezWednesday, May 9th 2018
A federal report shows that the number of local stash houses housing immigrants who were brought across the border illegally has nearly doubled compared to last year.
The report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows smugglers are using stash houses more and more in the Valley this fiscal year.
"We've already apprehended 1,030 illegal aliens in these stash houses," said Agent Robert Rodriguez with U.S Customs and Border Protection. "It’s a total of 92 stash houses this fiscal year."
Those numbers show an alarming spike compared to last year when 838 undocumented immigrants were captured in 61 stash houses.
"We're the busiest sector in the nation when it comes to illegal alien apprehensions, of course some of them are found in the stash houses," said Rodriguez.
Just days ago, agents raided a home in Edinburg where 16 immigrants were trapped inside.
On Monday, agents found another house in Mission where 34 people who were in the country illegally were apprehended. The latest raid happened Tuesday in Brownsville where agents found over 30 immigrants hiding in a home.
An Edinburg man who lives on Baylor Avenue remembers when his neighbor's home was raided.
"I was outside and I heard a lot of noise, like man voices," said Gregorio Santiago. "There was this young guy walking, he was right here, when he saw the deputy he took off, running."
Santiago says he wasn't scared for his own life, but rather of the conditions these people face.
"I'm not afraid, they're coming for a better life, but the way they have them stashed like flies inside the house, 70, it was about 70," said Santiago.
Another neighbor who lives in front a home used to smuggle immigrants, says moments like these make him think— illegal or not— they are still human.
"Just because somebody comes into this country, doesn't mean they're a murderer or a thief or anything," said Derek Diertrich. "Usually, they're running away from something in their country, gang related violence."
Border Patrol agents say if you see any suspicious activity that may have ties to stash houses, you’re asked to call 911.
‘‘It can save their life, these situations can be very dangerous,"said Rodriguez. "Just call 911.”
You can remain anonymous.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is not an investigative agency, therefore all stash house investigations are passed on to a separate agency, such as ICE or the Sheriffs Department.
http://valleycentral.com/news/local/...-grande-valley
