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WEBB COUNTY
BORDER PATROL
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Human smuggler busted in Zapata Man allegedly transported 5 immigrants By César G. Rodriguez LAREDO MORNING TIME S
Victor Strife / The Zapata Times
Laredoans participate in the 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas.
Former Zapata resident shares family’s experience with the chronic disease By Julia Wallace TH E ZAPATA T IME S
The Laredo chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association held its first-ever Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the Gateway City on Oct. 8. About 700 people participated in the walk, which raised an estimated $30,000 for Alzheimer’s research. Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease involving the degeneration of the brain, typically in old age. Symptoms include
short- and long-term memory loss, disorientation, mood swings, changes in personality and behavioral issues. Eventually, patients lose bodily functions, which can lead to death. There is no cure for the disease. Twenty-seven people died of Alzheimer’s disease in Webb County in 2013 (the most recent data available from the Texas Department of State Health Services), and many more in years precedFamily continues on A8
Courtesy / Rodriguez family
Victoria Rodriguez, center, is pictured with her four daughters at the Rodriguez family home.
A man from Alice was arrested in Zapata County for allegedly transporting five people suspected of crossing the border illegally, according to court documents. The suspect, Richard Osiel Ramos, was charged with transporting illegal immigrants. On Sept. 28, U.S. Border Patrol agents manning the intersection of FM 2687 Road and U.S. 83 south of Zapata observed three vehicles driving north in tandem. “Smuggling organizations use U.S. 83 as their primary means of travel to be able and transport undocumented (people) or narcotics further north into the United States,” states the criminal complaint filed Oct. 3. “The Zapata Border Patrol Agents have noticed an exponential increase in (human) smuggling cases One vehicle, a beige Chevrolet Tahoe, accelerated, states the complaint. “Smuggling organizations frequently use other vehicles referred to as ‘scouts’ in an attempt to warn vehicles which carry the (undocumented people) or narcotics as to the presence of law enforcement in the area. They also use scouts to confuse law enforcement and evade capture,” the complaint states. Agents followed the Chevrolet with their unit’s emergency lights on. The suspect vehicle then drove off the paved roadway and stopped close to a fence line. The driver exited the vehicle running, leaving behind five people. Those five passengers were immigrants who had crossed the border illegally. Agents caught up to Ramos. He alleged he injured himself while running through the brush. “A wallet was found near the center console of the vehicle. The wallet had a Texas Inmate Identification Card belongBusted continues on A8
U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS
New state detention center raises concerns LGBT advocates question transgender, queer section A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
ALVARADO, Texas — Some activists are asking questions about a new detention center in North Texas that is slated to house about 700 immigrants, including three dozen transgender individuals. The Prairieland Detention Center is a sprawling facility featuring 14-foot-tall fences and a specially designed wing for transgender individuals, the Dallas Morning News reports. The facility is in and owned by Alvarado, a small city about 40 miles south of Dallas, though it is managed by Emerald Correctional Management LLC, a privately held Louisiana-based detention company. A center official says de-
tained immigrants could arrive this month, though a U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement official said the center will more likely open in January. Advocates for transgender rights are cautious about the unique wing at the facility. Nell Gaither, founder of the Dallasbased Trans Pride Initiative, wants to ensure that Prairieland has enough security provisions to keep transgender immigrants from being abused and assaulted. “Our preference is that they not hold any trans or queer persons,” said Gaither, who along with other activists for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights have met Center continues on A8
Louis DeLuca / AP
The Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, will open soon and is being run by the Lafayette, a Louisiana-based company. Some activists are asking questions about a new detention center in North Texas that is slated to house about 700 immigrants, including three dozen transgender individuals.