Immigrants flee after early morning traffic stop

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July 21, 2007 - 12:35PM

Lauren Gilger, Tribune

When police pulled over a semi-truck around 12:30 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 10 near the Santan stretch of Loop 202 for an attempted traffic stop, they found more than just a traffic violator.

The westbound freightliner was harboring an estimated 20 to 40 illegal immigrants, authorities said. The illegal immigrants bailed out and ran over the fence and off of the freeway when the truck was pulled over, Department of Public Safety spokesman Tom Larson said.

Officers managed to catch 11 of them, and Larson said they are now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rest of the people who scattered remain at large.

Larson said police assumed the operators of the truck were “coyotes,” or human smugglers, who were likely paid to bring the immigrants through Arizona to an unknown location. No names have been released.

Police are searching for the remaining escapees in the ongoing investigation, Larson said. The truck has been impounded for possible evidence in the case.

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This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.

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rg

Great- at least they caught some of them - hopefully the rest can be caught before they make it into our system - Head 'em up - move 'em out - send 'em home Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

Philip

Day after day, it's illegals illegals illegals. This needs to stop NOW. It's good we have some new laws coming in effect, but it can't happen fast enough. Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

todd burro

glad to see that nafta works. Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

jack011

So much for the Bush administration border and interior security. If truckloads of illegal aliens can move around freely, how many sleeper cell terrorists are moving with them? Better yet, how is it that thousands of day laborers can stand on our streets each day without so much as an inquiry from our local, state and federal authorities? Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

This was just a diversion

This was just a diversion. The other five trucks that came right behind that one flew right by with another 200. So much for enforcing the law. For everyone they catch, there are 10 that get through, just like the drug trade. Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

Michael F.

I find it odd that these so call 'poor andinnocent' immigrants always know how to act like criminals once they're discovered. They run at the first sight of authority, they lie, feign ignorence of the law and the english language, use false idetification to get medical care and public services andall the time claim to be law abiding citizens. All the time we're told they do what American's wont, I believe we have enough criminals, cheats and fruads of our own. Comment has been reviewed

July 21, 2007

BH

Perfect example of the North America Free Trade Agreement!!! NAFTA Call Joe Arpiao He will find them. Thank God someone is willing to enforce the laws they are sworn to uphold! Now if we can get judges to follow suit we may be able to clean up this mess! USA ..It also stands for UNITED SOVEREIGN AMERICA Suggest removal of this comment

July 22, 2007

It was a diversion

It was a diversion. They missed the four trucks that came right behind this one where there were 500+ illegal immigrants riding their way to California, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, etc... It's a losing battle folks. Time will show this to be true. Until the feds commit to some sane policy of immigration reform, enforcement, funding, etc..., we don't a have a chance. Suggest removal of this comment

July 22, 2007

chill

We did get some and the rest are now terrified they will be caught.

THE ARGUMENT:
"It's a losing battle folks"
"we don't a have a chance."

WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?

We will not just lay down as you suggest.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Of course there is a chance and we will win the battle.

It is the Illegal Alien that does not stand a chance against the will of the American people. Suggest removal of this comment

July 22, 2007

It was a diversion

chill,

You need look beyond these meager enforcement stops. In no way am I on the side of doing things illegal. What you're not considering is this thing will not stop as easily as folks believe. It's going to take the effort from the top, meaning the federal government, to do this correctly. These people aren't going to stop coming. Ask the Border Patrol. They're the pros and they've been chasing them forever. Have they stopped? Nope. Until there's comprehensive reform, backed up by some real enforcement, dollars, even some policy approach toward the government of Mexico where we tell them the facts of this problem and expect some response/commitment from them, etc..., it isn't going to stop. Suggest removal of this comment