The main crime that leads to Mexican immigrants being arrested and handed over to the Migration and Customs Service (ICE) in the Los Angeles area has to do with driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances, which is known by its acronym in English as DUI; and about half of them, 45% are arrested by local police.
"Sadly, the DUI is the most recurring crime in which our countrymen fall ”said eThe consul of protection of the consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, Felipe Carrera Aguayo.
The consul of Mexico in Los Angeles, Marcela Celorio announced that they are planning a campaign to raise awareness among the Mexican community about the danger of drunk driving, and its implications on immigration status.
“How is it possible that the DUI is the biggest crime? We want to make a more aggressive campaign with an actor or a recognized figure among Mexicans about the risks they face because it is not only a fine but they end the separation of the family, ”said Consul Celorio. He showed that the DUI also leads to domestic violence.
During a meeting with representatives of the media, Mexican diplomats announced that since President Donald Trump assumed the presidency of the United States three years ago, 7,170 immigrants have been arrested in the Los Angeles area.
"Of that number, 72% acknowledged having criminal records, 70% migratory records – previous deportations -, and 1% did not have any type of background."Said Consul Carrera Aguayo.
96% of Mexicans arrested were men with an average age of 37 years, and 21 years living in the United States.
"32% were dedicated to construction, 7% to agriculture, 7% to cooking," he said.
He also revealed that 15% are from Michoacán, 12% from Jalisco, and 10% from Guerrero.
"34% are married, 31% single and 21% lived in free union," he said.
Consul Carrera said that in numerical terms the number of arrests of Mexican immigrants has not changed much between the Obama administration and Trump.
“It has been a more qualitative than quantitative change related to the priority program. The Obama administration focused on the most recent people; and Trump's in those who have spent more years, ”he says.
And note that the mass or indiscriminate arrests that were expected at the beginning have not occurred. "We think it has to do with having the same capacity in personnel and equipment as before Trump," he says.
Nor do they have reports of children who have become custody of the state because of the arrest or deportation of the father or mother. "When they are detained by ICE and deported, they stay with one of the parents who remain in the country," says Consul Carrera Aguayo.
Consul Celorio recalled that tomorrow and afternoon, from Saturday to Sunday, they visit the ICE Detention Center in Los Angeles; and every day they have lawyers at the consulate facilities to offer free consultations to Mexicans who need immigration legal assistance.
“They are heard and given an opinion on their case. They do not need to make an appointment to speak with lawyers. Office hours are between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ”, says Consul Carrera Aguayo.
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Francisco Moreno, spokesman for the Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM) says that unfortunately, arrests for driving with alcohol or drugs (DUI) is one of the main problems of the Mexican immigrant.
“It is a cultural and educational issue. We don't know how to control ourselves when we drink. People find it easy to handle taken because they do so in Mexico. It is difficult to take away that bad habit, and do not leave it until they are arrested and arrested. The bad thing is that many do not learn at first, the police grab them two or three times”, Observe,
Emphasize that this is serious when the immigrant is resident or undocumented.
“It is a matter of educating and sensitizing ourselves to behave well. Perhaps in schools children should be educated so that they in turn tell their parents that they should not drive drunk, ”he says.
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs leads to heavy fines, license suspension, jail, and can lead to arrest and deportation.
Based on his experience, in immigration courts, immigration lawyer Alex Gálvez says that there are five capital sins that put immigrants at great risk of deportation.
"These are: Domestic violence, driving under the influence of alcohol, minor theft in department stores, prostitution and drugs. ”
