Hundreds of illegal immigrants released at Arizona bus stops

May 29, 2014, 12:24 PM | Updated: 3:19 pm

PHOENIX — Hundreds of immigrants, mainly from Central America who were caught crossing the border in South Texas, are being released in Arizona.

The journey for hundreds of families crossing the border begins in their home country, south of Mexico. When they cross over the border in Texas, they become one of the roughly 1,000 illegal immigrants apprehended in South Texas each day, according to Andy Adame, Special Operations Supervisor for the Border Patrol in Arizona.

“What’s happening in the Rio Grande Valley area is they are experiencing a significant increase in the number of Central Americans crossing illegally through that area,” he said.

To handle the extreme influx, Tucson Border Patrol is helping with the processing of those immigrants. Over the holiday weekend alone, they received roughly 400 people.

“Central Americans, unlike Mexican citizens, take a lot longer to process,” Adame said. “There’s a lot more paperwork involved.”

In order to process the large number, the Border Patrol in southern Texas is sending plane-loads of people to Tucson.

“Tucson, for the longest time, has been the doormat for illegal immigration into the U.S. from Mexico and Central America,” Adame said.

Because of that, Tucson has the manpower and facilities that can handle large numbers of immigrants to process.
Adame said illegal immigration apprehensions are down about 24 percent, meaning the load is smaller than in the past, allowing Tucson to help the Rio Grande sector out.

Once the illegal immigrants are processed, they are turned over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After Department of Homeland Security authorities screen the family units for criminal records, outstanding warrants or repeat offenders, they are released under supervision, according to ICE. Those who are allowed to go are required to report to a local ICE office near their destination address within 15 days. Their cases will then be managed by ICE.

It’s how they are released that is raising eyebrows.

Many of the families are allowed to go to their destination, usually somewhere within the United States. ICE confirmed, if they are cleared, some of them are dropped off at Greyhound Bus stations in Tucson and Phoenix. ICE does not cover their fare.

In a statement released to KTAR, ICE explained the process.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Tucson Sector is assisting with the processing of illegal immigrants, many of whom are family units, apprehended in South Texas. Upon completion of processing, CBP is transferring the individuals to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), where appropriate custody determinations will be made in accordance with ICE enforcement priorities.

According to Adame, over the last month and a half, the Border Patrol has received several planes full of illegal immigrants to process them.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Screenshot via ADOT Webcam)...
KTAR.com

Crash clogs traffic on southbound Interstate 17 near downtown Phoenix

A multiple-vehicle crash jammed a freeway near downtown Phoenix during the morning rush Tuesday, state transportation officials said.
8 hours ago
(Pexels Photo)...
Taylor Kinnerup and Taylor Tasler

Overdose inside Arizona prison points to larger problem, concern for state leaders

Drugs are making their way into Arizona prisons and in some cases, leading to emergency situations. It's a high concern for top state officials.
8 hours ago
Vicente Fox (KTAR News Photo/Griselda Zetino)...
Griselda Zetino

Former Mexican president encourages voters living in Arizona to participate in Mexico election

Mexican citizens living in Arizona will get a chance to elect the country's next president. A former president wants to ensure they participate.
8 hours ago
(AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)...
SuElen Rivera

Despite heavy localized rain, risk for wildfires in Arizona continues to increase

A risk for wildfires in Arizona continues to increase, despite a wetter than normal winter that brought heavy rain across the state. 
8 hours ago
Roberto Y. Longoria (Carnegie Hero Fund Photos)...
KTAR.com

Phoenix man to receive Carnegie hero award posthumously for 2021 actions

A Phoenix man who died trying to save an unconscious coworker in a hazardous material situation has been awarded a Carnegie Hero medal, the commission announced Monday.
8 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Mecum Auctions)...
KTAR.com

Mecum collector car auction comes to Glendale’s State Farm Stadium

A collection-car company is bringing a plethora of vehicles to Glendale's State Farm Stadium all week long. 
1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Quantum Fiber

How high-speed fiber internet edges out cable for everyday use

In a world where technology drives so much of our daily lives, a lack of high-speed internet can be a major issue.
(Desert Institute for Spine Care photo)...
DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Why DISC is world renowned for back and neck pain treatments

Fifty percent of Americans and 90% of people at least 50 years old have some level of degenerative disc disease.
Hundreds of illegal immigrants released at Arizona bus stops