Thread: Border Patrol called to traffic stops 100 times

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_3957187

Article Launched: 6/20/2006 12:00 AM


Border Patrol called to traffic stops 100 times in April, May

Brandi Grissom / El Paso Times
El Paso Times

AUSTIN -- El Paso County sheriff's deputies at traffic checkpoints in April and May asked for U.S. Border Patrol assistance with at least 275 individuals they suspected were undocumented immigrants, according to an analysis of documents obtained by the El Paso Times.
Deputies called U.S. Border Patrol agents to the checkpoints more than 100 times in the two-month period, documents released under the Texas Freedom of Information Act show.

Despite the large number of immigration-related calls from the checkpoints, sheriff's department spokesman Rick Glancey said the operations are not immigration checkpoints.

Glancey said that Border Patrol agents do not respond to all of deputies' calls and said he could not comment on much of the other information the El Paso Times received.

"Until we look at each case individually, I cannot accurately respond," Glancey said.

Criticism of El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego has intensified in recent months as immigrant advocacy groups and politicians have accused him of racial profiling and using traffic checkpoints to enforce immigration laws.

Samaniego has derided calls for his ouster from public office as politically motivated and denied any wrongdoing.

The Times requested information from the Sheriff's Office about how many traffic checkpoints were conducted and where between April 1 and May 31 and how many drivers were contacted at each checkpoint. The Times asked how many arrests were made at the checkpoints and how many times Border Patrol was called.

El Paso County officials were unable to determine how many drivers were contacted in total at traffic checkpoints in April and May. But by way of comparison, 34 arrests were made at checkpoints during the two months.

Most of the 109 incidents in which the Border Patrol was contacted occurred in San Elizario, Socorro, Tornillo and Fabens. The stops occurred at a variety of locations, including on farm roads, at gas stations and rest areas, on the highway, at truck stops and in residential areas. Deputies reported single undocumented immigrants as well as groups of more than 20.

The reports do not state whether Border Patrol agents arrived or what action those officers took.

El Paso sector Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said agents do respond to most calls from local agencies.

"I don't have any reason to believe it happens very often where we're unable to respond," Mosier said.

Glancey said Monday, as he has repeatedly in the past, that the traffic checkpoints are simply routine operations to check for driver's licenses and insurance.

However, two separate sheriff's department documents obtained by the Times, one a set of guidelines for vehicle checkpoints and another an operation plan for checkpoints conducted in late May, specifically prohibit driver's license checks.

"No vehicle will be stopped for the express purpose of determining if the operator possesses a valid driver's license," the May 24 document states. "A full check to include liability insurance, valid registration and inspection sticker is authorized."

Glancey said he was at home sick and that Monday, Juneteenth, was a county holiday so he was unable to access the data received by the Times. The El Paso County District Attorney's office provided the data.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas plans to release additional information today about El Paso County Sheriff's Office operations and a civil rights report the group plans to file with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;(512) 479-6606.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas plans to release additional information today about El Paso County Sheriff's Office operations and a civil rights report the group plans to file with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

The UN again.

Ubelievable. The sheriff's department does it's rightful job of keeping our streets and communtities safe from those that are here illegally driving unlicensed, uninsured and many times under the influence of drugs and alcohol The ACLU has the audacity to file a complaint with the UN. I thought I had seen everything. At least they knew if they filed a complaint with US authorities they wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on. I think the ACLU has gone off the deep end this time.

The UN again.

When did they sell this country over? I've been living in a fog for too many years. Never knew about so many things!!

The reports do not state whether Border Patrol agents arrived or what action those officers took.

El Paso sector Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said agents do respond to most calls from local agencies.

I think these guys are really dense. If the police are running a traffic stop, a common enforcement proceedure especially during holidays, that close to the border why don't they coordinate with ICE before? Past history shows that they are going to encounter illegals, so why doesn't ICE just send out 2 agents and a bus? Ice should be able to check on the spot and return the illegals back across the border before they are very far into the country. Oh, and I think the ACLU needs to be designated a hate group against this country, period.

Quite frankly I do not give a (well cannot use the word I would like) what the ACLU or the UN thinks. They both can get out of my country with their communism and globalism, respectively!

Hmmm, I thought traffic checks were a necessary part of our nations "get tough on drunk drivers" law. Oh, that's right, it's only designed for getting tough on American citizens.

Many different types of criminals are caught during traffic checks, not only illegals. I think the someone is grasping at straws here.