Here's a paper still reporting news on illegals.

11 may face deportation

By George Jones
The Reporter

Published November 16, 2006

A check by Albertville police of a suspicious van led to the arrest of 11 illegal immigrants.

Officers, apparently notified by concerned employees of Kentucky Fried Chicken on U.S 431 South, arrived on the scene to find the Ford Econoline van, with tinted windows, no tag and a running engine.

A look through the front window revealed there were several individuals inside the van, and all were asleep.

After waking the driver — identified as Irvin Montano Hernandez, 22 — officers David Pitts and Chris Young discovered there were an additional 10 Hispanic men inside, ranging in age from 18-45.

Upon questioning, Hernandez told the officers they were traveling from Arizona to Florida for work.

However, the officers noticed there was no luggage inside the vehicle, and when Hernandez was asked to show some identification, they saw his wallet was filled with an unusually large amount of cash.

The officers suspected possible illegal immigration activity and contacted State Trooper Darrell Zuchelli for assistance.

Zuchelli is certified through the Department of Homeland Security to handle incidents involving such activity.

Zuchelli arrived, and after assessing the situation, contacted agents with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

All occupants, including the driver, were transported to the Etowah County Detention Center in Gadsden, where an ICE agent took all subjects into custody. All are currently being detained for a deportation hearing.

According to Temple H. Black, a New Orleans-based director of public affairs for ICE, the next step for the disposition of the illegal immigrants is varied.

“A background check will be run on each of them. If they are found to have outstanding warrants or are wanted for aggravated felonies, they will be turned over to the U.S. attorney for prosecution,” Black said.

“If convicted, they will serve their time within that jurisdiction, after which they will be deported. If they have no record they will appear before a judge for a hearing within 30 days.”

Black also said the individuals are free to go until the court date.

At the hearing, the judge will determine if they can stay or have to leave. If they are required to leave, they must do so at their own expense.

“Most will leave unless they, as some coming from a country like San Salvador, feel they have a shot at staying by stating they have ‘credible fear’ that if they return to their home country they will be harmed,” Black said.

Most, Black said, choose to return to their own country.

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