State Police, ICE Agents Charge 12 With Immigration Violations Over 2 Days

Twelve people were arrested by the West Virginia State Police Parkways Interdiction team for alleged immigration violations Sunday and Monday during traffic stops along Interstate 77 in Fayette County. 

Troopers were working with the U. S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as part of a partnership announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey last month. 

“I am proud to have West Virginia’s law enforcement working together with ICE to enforce the nation’s immigration laws and support President Trump’s border policies,” Morrisey said. 

The arrests took place on a part of the turnpike with a large number of international drivers, said Parkways Authority Capt. Andy Evans.  

In his six months as commander of the turnpike Evans said he’s seen troopers download phone apps so they can communicate with those who can’t speak English.

“We’ve had MS 13 members that we’ve had out here. We’ve had people that’s been wanted from other jurisdictions, that are undocumented for other crimes. They would be fugitives,” Evans said. 

He said troopers have also located a large number of people who are illegally in this country to work. 

“If they’re undocumented, and they haven’t gone through the correct procedures, and the process, that’s a chance that they know they’re taking,” he said.

The 12 arrested earlier this week were taken to South Central Regional Jail in Charleston.