Thread: Local authorities turn over illegal immigrant

http://www.couriernews.com/story.php?ID=13053

Local authorities turn over illegal immigrant

El Salvador man with 7 known aliases likely to be deported third time
By Brooke Vermillion-Chambers
Reporter
An El Salvador man authorities believe has been illegally living and working in Pope and Yell counties left Russellville in chains this week, likely to be taken back to his home country for the third time.
Jose Mejia -- more commonly known in the area as Jose Hernandez, one of his seven known aliases -- was arrested earlier this month for his second DWI. But Hernandez had more than alcohol with him; he was also carrying fraudulent identification documents.
Hernandez, 23, was taken to the Pope County jail where he was held until Tuesday on $250,000 bond. He was then released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities to prepare for a hearing on his pending federal charges for document fraud.
David Gibbons, 5th Judicial District Prosecutor, dropped the local charges against Hernandez so he could be released to federal authorities this week.
This was not Hernandez's first felony offense. He was convicted and sentenced to probation earlier this year for theft after he was found driving a stolen car.
ICE regional spokesman Temple Black said although anyone who resides in the country illegally is subject to prosecution and deportation, ICE officials must prioritize their enforcement action.
"If someone is illegally in the U.S., that's a violation of the law," said Black, whose office is based in New Orleans. "And we certainly do deport people who are here illegally. ... But aggravating felons, those menacing to our society, and those who could hurt U.S. residents -- that's where we focus our attention."
Although he could not comment specifically on Hernandez's case, he said ICE's standard process regarding illegal aliens is: If a person is suspected to be in the United States illegally, ICE is contacted. ICE would interview the person, conduct background checks, and if determined illegal, the person would have a hearing and then be deported.
Black also said if an illegal immigrant has been deported before and returns to the United States, his or her punishment would likely be much more stringent. He could not say what the penalty would be.
Gibbons said it was "not unusual occurrence" for suspected illegal immigrants to be charged and convicted of felonies in the 5th District. However, he said the only control he has over the person is by their state charges.
"All we (the state) can do is ensure they are convicted of the felony they're charged with," Gibbons said. "Then we notify ICE, and it's up to them to see that they're deported."
Hernandez reportedly lived at 11th and South Cleveland streets and worked for a construction company in Yell County at the time of his arrest.
About ICE
According to a press release from the ICE Public Affairs office, a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, document fraud has become more and more prevalent across the country in recent years.
"Document fraud refers to the manufacture, sale, or use of counterfeit identity documents -- such as fake driver's licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, or passports -- for immigration fraud or other criminal activity," the Aug. 1 release stated. "Document fraud also involves efforts to obtain genuine identity documents through fraudulent means and the alteration of valid documents to be used for fraudulent purposes. These activities have helped millions of illegal aliens unlawfully obtain employment in this country. They have also helped criminals and even terrorists evade detection and embed themselves in our society.
"The threat posed by document fraud is exemplified by the fact that at least seven of the 9/11 hijackers obtained genuine Virginia identity documents through fraud. Using these valid ID cards, the hijackers were able to board commercial aircraft for the attacks. Earlier this year, ICE deported to El Salvador a man who helped two of the 9/11 hijackers obtain fake Virginia residency certificates allowing them to obtain valid Virginia identity cards for use in boarding the aircraft."
In recent years, the sophistication of these schemes has also grown, as document forgers increasingly use computer software and high-resolution digital scanners to ply their trade, according to the release. In the past, primary tools of the counterfeit document trade were typewriters and pieces of plastic. The Internet is being used more frequently to market fake documents to customers.

Black also said if an illegal immigrant has been deported before and returns to the United States, his or her punishment would likely be much more stringent.

Unless your are Elivira Arellano, then you get to stay in a church and send your kid all over the country and even to Mexico trying to get sympathy for you.