Thread: Sheriff says roundup highlights need for assistance

Sheriff says roundup highlights need for assistance
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 08/21/2007 08:59:25 PM MDT

VICTORIA, Texas—The roundup of 16 illegal immigrants after a chase that involved two men jumping into a river was a familiar scenario for a South Texas sheriff who said it illustrates the need for more federal assistance.

Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor said although his county is not along the border, pursuits of illegal immigrants are a daily occurrence. Hundreds are detained in the county each year. On one day last year, he said more than 100 people were held in related apprehensions.

"We're doing the job for the federal government," O'Connor told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "We don't mind doing our part, but give us the tools and resources to do our part until the federal government decides what and how to ramp up."

O'Connor said he began an alliance of South Texas sheriffs to send a message that counties miles from the border are dealing with significant immigration problems. He said he wants Austin and Washington to provide more resources, communication and intelligence.

O'Connor heard Monday that two vehicles, possibly carrying illegal immigrants, were spotted in neighboring Goliad County. One of the vehicles drove into Victoria County, and a chase began when it failed to stop for law officers attempting to make a traffic stop.

After the chase through the county and into the city of Victoria, the vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup truck, left the road. Two men in the truck ran, including the driver who jumped into the

Guadalupe River and had to be rescued, O'Connor said.

A man suspected of being the other person who fled the truck, was taken into custody later after also apparently entering the river.

The driver was identified as an illegal immigrant who has lived in Houston for a decade, O'Connor said. He was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The other man was being held while authorities attempt to confirm he was the same man who initially fled.

Fourteen other occupants of the truck, from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, were picked up by the Border Patrol for processing and deportation. They included a 5-year-old child.

Three illegal immigrants have drowned in the county in the past two years, O'Connor said.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_6683451

I say stop all remittenses......... To Mexico and South American countries until they do they're part to stop lease people

An invasion of biblical proportions happens while Presedente Boosh turns a blind eye and calls us racists and the minute men vigilantes.... for wanting to save ourselves from rape, theft and death

Well you are pathetically stupid or corrupt and are nothing more than inbred trailer trash; your wealth should be taken and sent to the third world countries

Your family needs to be stripped of it citizenship and evicted from this country..... oh, take your goofy frien Karlos Rove with you ..... he's another mongoloid we could do without