Deputies instilling fear in residents, groups say

By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
El Paso Times

While sheriff's deputies say they are not actively pursuing undocumented immigrants, public perception to the contrary is creating fear in many El Paso residents, immigrant and civil rights advocates said.

Ralph Solis, a pastor at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and organizer with EPISO, said numerous parishioners have reported such incidents.

He said they recounted incidents in which deputies called Border Patrol officers to the scene to detain some undocumented immigrants.

"They're just really frightened," Solis said. "They don't come out of their homes anymore."