‘Safety checkpoint’ for driver licenses in Dallas’ Pleasant Grove causes worries about deportations

By DIANNE SOLIS
dsolis@dallasnews.com
6:28 pm on March 27, 2013

A driver’s license “checkpoint” in Pleasant Grove, a heavily immigrant area, caused worries this afternoon that federal immigration agents were stopping Latinos in actions that could lead to deportations.

Federal immigration authorities said tonight that they had nothing to do with the checkpoint.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department said, in a news release, they were responsible for the operation near Interstate 20 and St. Augustine Road to verify drivers had their licenses. They perform such operations quarterly and the location is “based on the monthly accident related data,” according to the release.

They added that 40 percent of drivers involved in an accident do not have a driver’s license.

“The operation did not involve any other matter,” the release reads.

Total citations: 85. That includes 68 citations for no licenses, 2 for failure to display the license and 8 for not having a valid license, 5 for no insurance and 1 for no child seat belt.

One arrest was made for possession of controlled substance and child endangerment.

The Sheriff’s Department takes part in a federal program called Secure Communities, which checks persons with criminal and immigration databases kept by the federal government. Early Wednesday evening, it was unclear if the additional immigration check was done. The Secure Communities program has been praised by some but criticized by others because it has led to the deportation of those who had no criminal offenses, or minor misdemeanors.

‘Safety checkpoint’ for driver licenses in Dallas’ Pleasant Grove causes worries about deportations | Crime Blog