Indian immigrants found in Pharr motel room
By Sergio Chapa
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 at 7:34 p.m.


Two men are behind bars after they alleged helped smuggling a group of illegal immigrants, including three of them from India.

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Jose Ramon Romero-Archaga and Carlos Portillo-Ramirez on human smuggling charges on Tuesday.

Court records show the two were taking care of six illegal immigrants being housed at the Sun Deck Motel at 501 South Cage Boulevard in Pharr.

ICE agents were working on a tip when allegedly spotted the two paying for the motel room and buying groceries for the group at a nearby H-E-B supermarket.

Court records show that three of the illegal immigrants were identified as Mukundbhai Rambha Patel, Bhauesh Kalubhai Patel and Mahesbhui Rumubhai Patel. All three of them are from India.

Romero-Archaga allegedly told investigators that he getting paid $500 dollars for his involvement.

Portillo-Ramirez said he was just working for Romero-Archaga.

The two men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Peter Ormsby in McAllen on Wednesday.

Court records show that both men are Honduran nationals.

Judge Ormsby denied bond for both men until a Monday morning hearing.

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=440806