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Today, immigration agents gave the media a rare look behind the scenes as they investigate suspected illegal immigrants. They know the issue may have taken a back seat to the economy, but federal agencies want people to know they're still making progress.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are spending a lot of time in Utah jails, investigating illegal immigrants who have been arrested, even for minor crimes, and beginning the paperwork to have them deported.
ICE agents interviewed Enrique Valle who was arrested for using a fake Social Security number in Lehi. He came here with a legal visa but didn't leave when the visa expired. He said, "Cause I've got no reason to go back to Mexico. I mean, unfortunately, the work situation there is not good for a decent way of living."
His case is one of many immigration agents routinely deal with everyday in the Utah County Jail when a suspected illegal immigrant is arrested. Steven Branch, ICE field director, said, "Once a subject has been arrested and they claim a foreign place of birth, our agents will interview them; one to determine if they are an alien, and if they are an alien, if they are removable."
Valle was earning $16 an hour as a welder and says he was scared to fill out the paperwork to stay legally. He said, "It's the fear and uncertainty of knowing that we may be in a situation to go and apply for it. Since we are now here working illegally, no matter how we came in, we can be sent back or go to jail. So I guess it is because of fear I haven't applied for it, it's just plain fear."
ICE agents say they are still dealing with a dramatic increase in cases. Branch says, "Our numbers are shooting through the roof, with the number of apprehensions, the number of removals, everything is becoming huge.
ICE says it is deporting about 200 people a month in Utah right now. Branch says last fiscal year they deported around 7,000 from the Wasatch Front.
Branch says if a person they've deported once has returned, that person can be prosecuted federally and held in federal prison for a good number of years.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
