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May 25, 2006

Immigration raids in Las Vegas


On Thursday the Senate is expected to vote on a bill that could provide a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already living in the United States. As leaders in Washington DC try to hammer out new immigration laws, we're finding out about federal raids taking place right now in many cities, including here in Las Vegas.

Several illegal immigrants have already been deported. We've been tipped off about these raids, and News 3 has now been able to confirm through federal sources that fugitive operation teams are in fact going out, and rounding up undocumented immigrants.

Several homes and businesses were targeted here in Las Vegas on Saturday, including the home of Teresa Perez. She says five agents came to her home and demanded papers from all those inside.

The agents, she says, then arrested her nephew and his wife. They were taken in separate cars. According to Perez, the two had applied for visas and were hoping to gain legal residency. She says they were employed at a local grocery store, and had been here in Las Vegas for about 3 years.

We also spoke with an immigration attorney who is upset by these tactics and says the government should concentrate on deporting those illegal immigrants who have criminal histories.

Government agents wouldn't comment on specifics about the raids. They did tell us there are several fugitive teams concentrating on Los Angeles and Las Vegas right now. They also said part of why these raids are taking place now is because more resources have recently become available.

On Thursday the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will be holding a press conference here in Las Vegas. They will be discussing the recent raids and other actions that may happen in the near future.