AZMEX I3 23-5-12

AZMEX I3 23 MAY 2012


ICE: 131 immigrants found in Alton stash house
May 22, 2012 9:59 PM
Ildefonso Ortiz
The Monitor
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ALTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is working to arrest
a human trafficking group that had 131 illegal immigrants stuffed
inside a house Tuesday afternoon.

The immigrants were found at an unmarked house near the intersection
of Rhode Island and St. Jude streets.

Two houses down, 52-year-old Salvador Hernandez was sitting under a
tree, surprised at all the activity.

"I have been living here for 28 years and have never seen anything
like that happen," he said.

Hernandez had stepped out to run some errands with his elderly
parents and was surprised to see his quiet neighborhood surrounded by
ICE agents.

The detention of the immigrants was part of an ongoing investigation
by ICE, said spokeswoman Nina Pruneda.

ICE "Homeland Security Investigation will be interviewing everyone to
determine who is responsible for the transportation and harboring of
these individuals," Pruneda said.

Preliminary information revealed that the immigrants were primarily
from Central America and didn't require medical attention. The house
had food and electricity at the time of the search, Pruneda said,
adding that the investigation is ongoing and several arrests are
expected soon.