Fight Over Immigration Laws Divides A Small Texas Town

One business owner in Refugio, Texas is at the center of the debate.

By Michael MarksApril 27, 2017 9:07 am, ,

Refugio residents are divided over how they should view local business owner Alfredo Plascencia. Some consider him a criminal while others believe he is the victim of unfair immigration laws.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detained Plascencia on Feb. 21 and charged him with 17 counts of human smuggling. ICE also detained 18 other people believed to be in the U.S. without proper authorization after conducting raids on Plascencia’s two restaurants and residential properties.

After five weeks in jail, Plascencia is now out on bond.

Victoria Advocate reporter Jon Wilcox has been following the case and says that “it’s quite a complex story and he’s a complex character.”

“Some see him as a good person – a business owner, a member of the community who has worked for years and years in Refugio to better his business and make a life for himself,” he says. “Others see him as a plain criminal who broke the law and should be punished.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– The arguments made on both side

– The impact the case has had on Refugio

– What the next steps are in the legal proceedings

Written by Molly Smith.