Feds Bus Raids Anger Businesses, Community (KVVU-NV)

Feds Bus Raids Anger Businesses, Community
Bus Depots Raided Thursday By Border Agents

POSTED: 3:24 pm PDT August 3, 2010

LAS VEGAS -- Border protection officers said transportation sites, such as bus depots, are a means for criminals to enter the U.S. illegally.

On Thursday, federal agents raided bus depots looking for human smuggling operations, such as the transfer of illegal alien immigrants, narcotics and other contraband, officials said. Agents arrested 31 people, including 12 who had prior criminal or immigration history, officials said.

"It is completely within our authority in a public setting to request documentation proving citizenship in a consensual encounter," said Kelly Rose Ivahnenko, of Customs and Border Protection. "The bus depot is a public area. Again, transportation hubs are a key conduit for smuggling organizations to transport people and contraband further into the United States, which is why we specifically work to disrupt these illicit activities on a routine basis."

But business owners, such as Emmanuel Corrales, owner of Las Vegas Shuttles, said he is opposed to feds enforcing laws based on how people look.

"It makes you feel very sad, looking at your clientele being harassed," Corrales said. "I don't mind showing proof of citizenship when crossing the border."

Community activist Vicenta Montoya said she is outraged by the federal agents' raids on bus depots last week.

"It intimidates the community and makes it fearful," she said.