see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the SENTRI lane at the Hidalgo port of entry discovered a female hiding under the backseat of an Isuzu SUV. The driver, a SENTRI lane user, was arrested on felony alien smuggling charges.

On October 16 at 11:30 p.m., a 2004 Isuzu SUV arrived at the Hidalgo port of entry via the Secure Electronic Network for Traveler Rapid Inspection lane also known as SENTRI. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Miguel Vazquez-Mendez, a U.S. citizen, age 54 from Mission, Texas.

While conducting a routine examination of the vehicle, officers found a female hiding under the backseat of the SUV. The female was identified as a 40-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. While interviewing the female, it was established that she did not possess the appropriate immigration entry documents to legally enter the United States. After his arrest, Vasquez-Mendez remains incarcerated pending further proceedings. As of today, the female remains in federal custody. At a later date, she will be processed and returned to Mexico in accordance with expedited removal proceedings. The 2004 SUV was seized.

Hidalgo/Pharr Port Director Hector A. Mancha said, “For the SENTRI lane at the Hidalgo port of entry, this is the first alien smuggling offense recorded.” Mancha further said, “Alien smuggling carries serious consequences that include stiff monetary penalties and possible jail time.”

SENTRI is a land border crossing program that provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved low-risk travelers. The SENTRI card fulfills the travel document requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will require a passport or other secure travel document by all U.S. citizens seeking entry or reentry into the U.S. This change, slated to be implemented at all land and sea crossings by June 1, 2009, requires a secure, verifiable document denoting citizenship and identity for U.S. citizens, who previously were not required to present documentation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.