2 groups of illegal immigrants stopped in Southland

April 12, 2007
STNG News Service
A van filled with more than a dozen undocumented immigrants was discovered after a traffic stop in Plainfield, the second such stop in two days, authorities said.

Illinois State Police troopers conducting a traffic stop in Plainfield about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday found 13 people in a 1991 Chevrolet van westbound on U.S. 30 at Renwick Road. The van was stopped for an equipment violation, State Police Sgt. Chris Paluch said. The van, which was not reported stolen, was coming from Arizona, he said.

A second group of undocumented immigrants was stopped Tuesday night near New Lenox, immigration authorities said today.

All of the people were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security, Paluch said.

ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro confirmed the Wednesday incident, saying there were a total of 16 people arrested. "They are in ICE custody facing deportation," she said.

Montenegro said 13 people were found in a vehicle about 9 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 80 near New Lenox.

"It was a smuggling load,’’ Montenegro said. The people, from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, were not armed but were "all going to various destinations in the country."

There were three women from El Salvador and 10 men.

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