Illegal Immigrant Scandal Widens
Ohio Congressman Bob Ney said the federal government "dropped the ball" by instructing local police to let 20 illegal immigrants go.

Ney said he will contact immigration officials to find out why the llegal Mexican immigrants were not detained after they were discovered Tuesday in Belmont County.

The illegal immigrants were stopped by local police after their van was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 470 in St. Clairsville. When the officer contacted Immigration and Naturalization Services, federal authorities instructed the officer to let the immigrants go.

Officials from INS said they did not know about the incident until NEWS9 contacted them.

Ney, a Republican, said incidents like this are not out of the ordinary. He said a similar situation occurred recently in Chilicothe, and Ney said he was assured by officials that it would not happen again.

Ney also said the Belmont County sheriff's department did exactly what it was supposed to do, and said the federal government is at fault.

"It's very clear cut. This is all smoke and mirrors from the federal government. INS is not doing its job," Ney said.

He said the government is sending "mixed messages to the American public" and said current immigration laws must be enforced.

Stay with NEWS9 for continuing coverage.

-Renee Cardelli & John Paul, NEWS9