Thread: Illegal Immigrants Using Trucks’ Air Dams to Cross Border

Illegal Immigrants Using Trucks’ Air Dams to Sneak Across Border

Reported by: Bill Barajas
Email: bill@krgv.com
Last Update: 9:16 pm

HIDALGO COUNTY - Illegal immigrants are taking dangerous chances on a ride north, and it's putting an industry on edge.

We got interested in this subject when we looked up these court documents. It tells how Illegals used an 18-wheeler air dam to hide. It's a tight confined space, a place truckers rarely look.

It’s a game of cat and mouse. The illegals hide. The truck drivers seek.

Some are getting through, hiding on those big things that look like an air scoop on top of truck cabs.

"All it is a game of hide and seek before they get caught," said truck driver Tom Cortez.

Cortez has spent 28 years on the road. He said he's driving a big rig without an air dam because he was so concerned about illegals hiding. He said he knows truck drivers who were accused of human smuggling who had no idea somebody was on top of their truck.

"We shouldn't be responsible if they’re on top of the truck," said Cortez.

Truck drivers said this is nothing new, that people have been hiding in air dams for years. They'll use any method to smuggle themselves into the United States.

Jerry Cosca, a new trucker, was caught off guard when he learned about the hiding place. He said he thought it was an urban legend. Cosco always checks his truck but never thought to check the air dam because he didn't think anyone could fit in such a tight spot.

"Actually realizing how easy it is to get up there, now I'm going to have to start looking up there myself, especially this close to the border," said Cosca.

Border Patrol spokesperson Rosey Huey said the real concern is the lives of these people. They’re taking a huge chance by jumping on a truck.

"It's not surprising at all that they’re trying to conceal themselves in the air dams. I mean, obviously they’re going to try new methods to try and get across checkpoints or even the country," said Huey.

She said the agents’ biggest weapons to combat human smuggling are canines and X-ray machines. If one doesn't catch it, the other one will.

Huey said people will continue to find new ways to get into the United States. Truck drivers should make sure illegals are not finding ways onto their trucks.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Il ... aJyBA.cspx

Diagram showing a side view and underside of a Conventional (as opposed to Cab Over Engine)

18-wheeler Semi-Trailer Truck with an enclosed cargo space (box trailer). The underside view shows the arrangement of the 18 tires (wheels). Shown in blue in the underside view are the axles, drive shaft, and differentials. The legend for labeled parts of the truck is as follows:

1. tractor unit
2. semi-trailer (detachable)
3. engine compartment
4. cabin
5. sleeper (not present in all trucks)
6. air dam
7. fuel tanks
8. fifth-wheel coupling
9. enclosed cargo space
10. landing gear - legs for when semi-trailer is detached

Added to Homepage with slightly amended title:
http://www.alipac.us/article-5881--0-0.html