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Feds say El Paso hotel used in smuggling [El Paso Times, Texas]
(El Paso Times (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 11--EL PASO -- The federal government wants to seize the Gateway Hotel and is accusing its owner and some employees of harboring undocumented immigrants in a vast smuggling conspiracy.
The Downtown hotel, built in 1906, was a stopping point where immigrants who had just crossed the border illegally could stay and get clothing and food from the hotel's restaurant before being smuggled to other cities, stated a 76-page indictment issued late last month.
The indictment names the YCL Corp., doing business as the Gateway Hotel, and Song U. Chon, who authorities said is the hotel owner, along with alleged ringleaders and others.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested about 25 people accused of various roles in the conspiracy including "coyotes" (immigrant smugglers), transporters, and safe-house operators in smuggling networks dating back to 2003, said a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.
Two weeks ago, Chon, 53, was arrested by ICE agents. They also arrested Armando Arzate, who is listed as a manager on a sign in the lobby of the hotel at 104 S. Stanton.
Hotel employees allegedly "arranged with the alien smugglers to provide shelter, food and clothing to the undocumented aliens who had been smuggled into the United States," the indictment stated.
The hotel remains open. A desk clerk would not comment, saying the indictment was the owner's business.
Agents also arrested alleged immigrant smuggling ringleaders Maria Isidra Luna-Avila, aka Dona Chila, 57, of Juarez and Guillermo "Memo" Lopez-Nunez, 66, of El Paso, according to jail and court documents.
Prosecutors allege the network was so lucrative that they want Chon, if convicted, to forfeit the 100-room hotel and $1 million in illegal proceeds.
Chon, nicknamed "The Korean" in the indictment, is jailed without bond. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
An ICE spokesman referred questions to the U.S. attorney's office spokes man, who declined to make a statement because an investigation continues.
According to the heavily redacted indictment, immigrants were led by coyotes into El Paso by crossing the Rio Grande, walking through the desert or through underground tunnels and sewers.
The crossing could be dangerous.
On July 31, 2007, Luna-Avila is allegedly heard in a telephone call discussing "that one of the runners drowned on us," referring to an immigrant who drowned crossing the border, the indictment stated.
Once in El Paso, immigrants were taken to hotels, including the Gateway Hotel, and houses until their family or a "sponsor" paid a smuggler fee of about $2,000.
The fee was for room and food at the hotel or homes.
Once the fee was paid, usually through a wire transfer, the immigrant was taken to his or her destination in cities such as Albuquerque, Los Angeles and Dallas. Immigrants were often transported in tractor-trailers, the indictment stated.
The Gateway Hotel has been a fixture Downtown for generations, most of its guests being from Mexico.
The rate for a small room is $28 a night. In recent years, the business has been the site of several undocumented immigrant round ups.
In 2004, a scene for the Disney movie "Glory Road" about the 1966 Texas Western College national basketball champions was filmed outside the hotel and made out to be rainy Seattle.
Other low-cost hotels are mentioned in the indictment, but it was not known whether anyone linked to them was accused of a crime.
(El Paso Times (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 11--EL PASO -- The federal government wants to seize the Gateway Hotel and is accusing its owner and some employees of harboring undocumented immigrants in a vast smuggling conspiracy.
The Downtown hotel, built in 1906, was a stopping point where immigrants who had just crossed the border illegally could stay and get clothing and food from the hotel's restaurant before being smuggled to other cities, stated a 76-page indictment issued late last month.
The indictment names the YCL Corp., doing business as the Gateway Hotel, and Song U. Chon, who authorities said is the hotel owner, along with alleged ringleaders and others.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested about 25 people accused of various roles in the conspiracy including "coyotes" (immigrant smugglers), transporters, and safe-house operators in smuggling networks dating back to 2003, said a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.
Two weeks ago, Chon, 53, was arrested by ICE agents. They also arrested Armando Arzate, who is listed as a manager on a sign in the lobby of the hotel at 104 S. Stanton.
Hotel employees allegedly "arranged with the alien smugglers to provide shelter, food and clothing to the undocumented aliens who had been smuggled into the United States," the indictment stated.
The hotel remains open. A desk clerk would not comment, saying the indictment was the owner's business.
Agents also arrested alleged immigrant smuggling ringleaders Maria Isidra Luna-Avila, aka Dona Chila, 57, of Juarez and Guillermo "Memo" Lopez-Nunez, 66, of El Paso, according to jail and court documents.
Prosecutors allege the network was so lucrative that they want Chon, if convicted, to forfeit the 100-room hotel and $1 million in illegal proceeds.
Chon, nicknamed "The Korean" in the indictment, is jailed without bond. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
An ICE spokesman referred questions to the U.S. attorney's office spokes man, who declined to make a statement because an investigation continues.
According to the heavily redacted indictment, immigrants were led by coyotes into El Paso by crossing the Rio Grande, walking through the desert or through underground tunnels and sewers.
The crossing could be dangerous.
On July 31, 2007, Luna-Avila is allegedly heard in a telephone call discussing "that one of the runners drowned on us," referring to an immigrant who drowned crossing the border, the indictment stated.
Once in El Paso, immigrants were taken to hotels, including the Gateway Hotel, and houses until their family or a "sponsor" paid a smuggler fee of about $2,000.
The fee was for room and food at the hotel or homes.
Once the fee was paid, usually through a wire transfer, the immigrant was taken to his or her destination in cities such as Albuquerque, Los Angeles and Dallas. Immigrants were often transported in tractor-trailers, the indictment stated.
The Gateway Hotel has been a fixture Downtown for generations, most of its guests being from Mexico.
The rate for a small room is $28 a night. In recent years, the business has been the site of several undocumented immigrant round ups.
In 2004, a scene for the Disney movie "Glory Road" about the 1966 Texas Western College national basketball champions was filmed outside the hotel and made out to be rainy Seattle.
Other low-cost hotels are mentioned in the indictment, but it was not known whether anyone linked to them was accused of a crime.
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