Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo-Pharr International Bridges over the last several days intercepted an alleged alien smuggling attempt, two alleged impostors and two men allegedly attempting to enter the U.S after having been deported.
On May 22, officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1999 Oldsmobile Alero sedan and its driver, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen from Mission, Texas. At primary, the driver allegedly identified a 7-year-old passenger boy as a U.S. citizen. A CBP officer referred the driver and passenger to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers established that the boy was a Mexican citizen.
On the same date, CBP officers in Hidalgo came in contact with a northbound taxicab passenger. At primary, the traveler allegedly declared himself as a U.S. citizen. In secondary, officers established that the male traveler was a citizen of Haiti and a check of a CBP database identified the 35-year-old as a prior deport.
On May 23, in two separate and unrelated actions, CBP officers working the northbound pedestrian lanes at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a 22-year-old male from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico and a 25-year-old female from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At primary, each of the travelers allegedly presented U.S. B1/B2 travel visa to CBP officers. In secondary, officers established that the alleged travel documents presented by both travelers did not belong to them.
On May 25, 2010, officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound taxicab passenger. At primary, the 33-year-old male from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico allegedly presented a valid B1/B2 travel visa. A check of a CBP database identified the Mexican national as a prior deport.
CBP officers detained and arrested the one female and four males on alleged violations of immigration law.
Hector A. Mancha, Port Director, Hidalgo-Pharr said, "Primary inspections and database checks played a major role in our frontline officers intercepting and identifying these travelers for alleged violations of U.S. immigration law." Mancha further said, "Preventing the illegal entry of these people into our county is another example on how CBP is working to secure our nation's borders."