Thread: TX-Intoxicated illegal immigrants deported to Mexico

Intoxicated illegal immigrants deported to Mexico
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 1:17 PM CDT

By Jessica Hawley-Jerome



On June 29, Bandera Police Officer Allen Kelley responded to a complaint that three people appeared to be intoxicated at the Sonic on Main Street. According to Sheriff's Sergeant Shane Merritt, Kelly determined the individuals to be at various degrees of intoxication and, after verifying their identities, that they were illegal immigrants.

That same night, Sheriff's Deputy Bryce Mangold arrested two individuals, also in the country illegally, for public intoxication at the Bandera Shell Station. All five people were held in custody until picked up by Immigration and Naturalization Services.

Merritt said that there are no pending charges in the county and that all five people were deported to Mexico the next day.

"Many times, if someone here illegally is breaking the law, say for public intoxication, the charges are dismissed so INS can transport them back," Merritt said. "[The individuals arrested] were brought in primarily because they were intoxicated and the officers did not want to let them drive off drunk. If they hadn't been intoxicated, they probably would have been left alone."


http://banderabulletin.com/articles/200 ... ws/576.txt

Let go to drive without licenses?