more local news- illegals

[Erich in Az]

I know there are many here who don't deal with the problems illegals cause from day to day, so I thought starting a thread that highlights some of the things we deal with on an almost daily basis might help open some eyes to the problem that exists.

If you folks have some local stories, good or bad, lets share them so others might have an idea what's going on.

I don't dislike Mexicans at all, but the illegal trade is really hurting us. I hope we can come up with an answer soon.

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/125038.php

Border agent assaulted with car leaves hospital
By Brady McCombs
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.18.2006

A Border Patrol agent struck by a car Sunday was out of the hospital Monday and in good condition.
The agent, whose name the agency has declined to release, suffered cuts and bruises, but nothing major, said spokes-man Sean King.
The incident began at around 1 p.m. Sunday when the agent stopped a 1995 Nissan near South Sierrita Mountain Road and Arizona 86, southwest of Tucson. As the agent approached the car, it suddenly pulled out and struck the agent, according to Border Patrol reports.
The agent called for backup, and agents found the car shortly afterward near South Marstellar Road and West Hermans Road, on the Southwest Side. But the car headed toward another Border Patrol agent. One or more agents fired at the car, which went off the road into a wash.
The driver and six passengers were not injured.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, is in custody on suspicion of assaulting a federal officer and smuggling. One of the passengers, another U.S. citizen, is also in custody on suspicion of smuggling.
The five other passengers were illegal entrants who were to be interviewed by FBI agents and then voluntarily deported, King said.
The incident marked the 12th time since Oct. 1 that a Tucson Sector agent has been assaulted with a vehicle, down slightly from this time last year when the agency had 16 vehicle assaults, according to King. Since Oct. 1, the agency has recorded 102 assaults on agents, nearly identical to last year at this time when there were 103, King said.
Assaults have increased since fiscal year 2004, when there were 118 for the entire year. The number of agents in the Tucson Sector has increased from 1,600 in 2002 to about 2,400 today.
Assaults include throwing rocks, shootings, vehicle assaults and any kind of physical violence on an agent, King said. They do not include verbal confrontations.
Assaults with rocks are the most frequent, with 63 this year compared with 57 last year at this time. Physical assaults on agents follow, with 16 this year compared with 16 last year at this time. Other types of assaults include shootings, of which there were eight this year compared with 13 last year.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/124715.php

3+ years for entrant who threw at copter
By Kim Smith
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.15.2006

A 33-year-old resident of Mexico was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in prison for throwing rocks at a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter in July 2004.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Antonio Eretza-Flores was sentenced to 38 months after pleading guilty to aggravated assault on a federal agent and illegal re-entry after a deportation.
Authorities say Eretza-Flores was a passenger in a vehicle filled with illegal entrants on July 23, 2004, when a Huachuca City police officer realized the vehicle was stolen and tried to stop it. The vehicle fled and the officer chased it, but he ended up being forced off the road and into a ditch.
U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to help, and authorities say Eretza-Flores threw four rocks at one of their helicopters after he fled into the desert when the vehicle became disabled.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, one of the rocks went between the helicopter's main rotor blades and almost hit the door. The pilot had to make an emergency evasive maneuver.
In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins gave Eretza-Flores three years of supervised release.