7/23/2014
"Two of them told me they were from El Salvador," Maria Graciela Jimenez said. "We are human, how are we going to let them go and die in the woods?"
Jimenez still has the clothing belonging to three immigrants who came to her dehydrated and hungry Monday night.
"He (one of the immigrants) said he was fainting and that it's been three days since he was in Mexico and eaten," she said. "When they passed by here we offered them water and food."
Jimenez also let the trio take showers and washed their clothes.
The same clothes they have worn for the past month as they traveled from Central America.
Jimenez said she had no idea that one of the three immigrants belonged to one of the most notorious gangs in Central America called Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13.
"I do know there are documented murders, kidnappings here in the U.S. involving these gangs," Lt. Joey Solis, Rio Grande City Police, said.
Lt. Solis said a patrolling officer caught the immigrants after hearing loud music coming from a house located on Pine St. in Rio Grande City.
"The city does have an ordinance that does not allow any loud music after 10 p.m.," he said.
The three immigrants ran inside Jimenez home.
The three immigrants ran inside Jimenez home.
After getting consent to enter from Jimenez the officer followed them.
Police said one of the immigrants from El Salvador admitted to being a MS-13 gang member and had tattoos covering his body, proof of his affiliation.
Lt. Solis said only a small percentage of immigrants coming to the U.S. illegally have criminal pasts, still residents should never invite them into their home.
"Anytime you invite a stranger into your residence you are inviting trouble," Lt. Solis said.
Jiminez said she did not knowingly help the gang member but says as a mother she would help anyone in need.
"I helped them out and I would hope that others would also help my own son," she said.
The three immigrants were taken into custody by Border Patrol.
Rio Grande City police do not believe the residents were in any immediate danger but recommend they report undocumented immigrants they come across.
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