Three alleged illegal immigrants found during traffic stop (The Observer)

Three alleged illegal immigrants found during traffic stop [4th item]
POSTED: May 23, 2008

PORTLAND — A van was stopped on Pratt Road in the town of Portland, operating with a loud muffler, and under reason of suspicious person on May 8.

The driver, Miguel Bautista, 44, and Filiberta Bautista, 21 held valid New York state licenses. The following passengers possessed no form of identification; Florentina Rojas, 41; Pablo Gomez, 21; Oscar Lorenzo, 21; and Francisco Delgado-Juan, 20.

According to state police, Filiberta Bautista was the only one who could fluently speak and understand English. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted after police received inconsistent stories.

After interviews by Special Agent Ryan Glor of ICE at the State Police barracks in Fredonia it was determined that Delgado-Juan, Lorenzo and Gomez were in the United States illegally ranging from two months to two years. They were transported to the Federal Holding Center in Batavia.

Filiberta, Rojas and Miguel were released, Miguel was issued a ticket for a loud muffler.