LAREDO, TEXAS - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry on Oct. 15 uncovered 11 violations of immigration law in a 24-hour period, including an alleged attempt to smuggle a female Mexican citizen with a U.S. birth certificate and attempted entry by a man with an expired entry document and prior aggravated assault conviction.
“Our frontline CBP officers utilize their training and experience to detect inconsistencies or anomalies that result in the uncovering of immigration law violations,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry. “These 11 cases in less than a day underscore CBP’s commitment toward advancing our border security mission.”
One of the more notable enforcement actions developed when a 47-year-old male U.S. citizen from Sheridan, Michigan arrived at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge driving a 2006 Ford Freestyle. A female passenger presented a U.S. birth certificate. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and occupants for secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers discovered that the female passenger is a 32-year-old Mexican citizen from Tlatlauquitepec, Mexico with no valid documents to enter or reside in the U.S. CBP officers processed the driver and passenger for violations of immigration law.
In another incident, a CBP officer referred a 29-year-old Mexican citizen from Malinalco, Mexico for secondary examination after he presented an expired entry document. During the examination, CBP officers discovered a prior aggravated assault conviction. CBP officers processed him for immigration law violations and he was returned to Mexico.
Other cases involved attempts to enter the U.S. with documents belonging to other people, intended immigrants or other violations of U.S. immigration law.
CBP Field Operations at Laredo Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.