An illegal immigrant, who was trying to hide in a tree for almost nine hours, finally got busted by immigration agents, stating, “If you are here illegally, ICE will find you, arrest you, and deport.”
Guatemalan citizen Raul Ical, aged 29, sought refuge in a San Antonio residence’s backyard on Tuesday morning after evading an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) traffic inspection, according to KSAT.
He ascended a tree, with footage documenting his elevated position while ICE officials maintained their position below.
Officials attempted tree ascents twice to conduct discussions with Ical before he descended at 7 pm — approximately nine hours after his initial climb at 10 am, according to local residents who spoke to KENS5.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the unusual escape attempt, stating: “You can run, but you can’t hide. Whether in a tree or harbored in an activist judge’s house, if you are here illegally, ICE will find you, arrest you, and you will be deported.”
Ical faces federal criminal charges for unlawful re-entry into the US, following his previous deportation 12 years ago, ICE confirmed.
“Ical previously entered the United States unlawfully on March 27, 2013, and was subsequently removed to Guatemala on April 24, 2013,” stated ICE officials.
The timing of his recent re-entry into the US remains unclear.
The specific details regarding the initial traffic stop remain undisclosed.
During the unusual confrontation, activists gathered near the house in western San Antonio, offering guidance to the concealed migrant.
“You don’t have to sign anything,” Jose Montoya, an activist with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, called out to Ical after his descent, as reported by the New York Times.
