Missouri Highway Patrol Ask ICE For Help After 11 People Detained

EUREKA, MO — State officials have asked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for assistance after Missouri state troopers pulled over a van near Eureka, Missouri, Thursday morning. KMOV reports 13 people riding in the van were unable to provide authorities with identification or immigration documents.

It's not clear why the passengers were asked to provide documents to begin with. Highway patrol officials told the television station that the van's passengers did not speak English, but according to the ACLU, that alone does not constitute reasonable suspicion.

The van was initially pulled over for tailgating, officials said. The traffic stop happened on Interstate 44 near Six Flags St. Louis.

Authorities say the van's driver and a passenger fled. Eleven others were arrested.

ICE is the federal law enforcement agency tasked with policing immigration laws inside the United States. ICE doesn't patrol the U.S. border. That job is handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which includes the United States Border Patrol.

Some on the left have called to abolish or reform the internal security agency, while Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have said ICE should be protected.

We must have Border Security, get rid of Chain, Lottery, Catch & Release Sanctuary Cities - go to Merit based Immigration. Protect ICE and Law Enforcement and, of course, keep building, but much faster, THE WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2018

Read more from KMOV.

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