Published Thursday, July 10, 2008

Sheriff's program to deport illegals pushes on

By John Harbin
Times-News Staff Writer
- Last modified: July 10. 2008 7:53AM

A Henderson County Sheriff's Office program that identifies and deports illegal aliens committing crimes has continued to grow in success early into its second week.

Since coming online on July 1, this new tool implemented by Sheriff Rick Davis has identified 20 illegal immigrants working and living in the area who have been arrested for committing crimes in Henderson County.

One such person was arrested during Operation Firecracker on Thursday, July 3, in Henderson County. During this operation, Jose Maria Palacio-Tovillas was arrested for driving while impaired and for driving with no operators license, Henderson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Charlie McDonald said.

As a result of being arrested in a county that has an ICE program, also known as 287(g), in place, it was determined that Palacio-Tovillas is an illegal immigrant to this country. He, along with 19 others who have been identified as a result of arrest for criminal activity, is now under a federal detainer to face a deportation hearing in Atlanta before a federal judge.

"It is important to point out one of the men arrested identified himself as an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador," Davis said. "Between our 287(g) immigrations program and our new gang unit, suspected gang members have every reason to fear being arrested. The ability to identify means effective prosecutions and real consequences for their actions including prison and/or deportation."

Operation Firecracker was a multi-agency traffic safety event sponsored by the Governors' Highway Safety Program whose purpose is to reduce DWI accidents and promote highway safety going into the July 4 weekend. That operation netted 49 persons cited for no operators license, seven for driving while license revoked, and for driving while impaired. Palacio-Tovillas was one of the four charged with DWI.

"Obviously we will use whatever tools we have available to reduce crime and motor vehicle accidents, particularly deadly ones, in Henderson County," McDonald said. "Who can say that no lives were saved as a result of taking four intoxicated drivers off of the road Thursday evening. If the ICE program helps reduce our exposure to a possible repeat offender, then we will gladly take that opportunity, as well. Failure to do so is to fail the public trust."

Success continues for deport program

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