Deportation Issues

Police never charged Maria Ayon-Torres, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers found she was in the United States illegally, and gave her 62 days to head for Mexico. But now - they`re not sure where she is - but they do know - she`s not back in Mexico. Immigration enforcers ordered Ayon-Torres to leave under "voluntary departure," but a spokesperson for ICE says she never reported to the U.S. or Mexican consulate. Voluntary departure is a less severe form of deportation, giving immigrants the chance to legally re-enter the U.S. later. The ICE spokesperson says when someone agrees to voluntarily leave the country on their own dime, it saves the government money, time and manpower. But - immigration and deportation issues are complicated - and the process is usually wound very tightly in red tape. In fact Rogers Police Chief Steve Helms - who`s officer was shot - says there`s no way to know if suspects leave the country...and it`s frustrating for all the agencies involved. Many of the immigration enforcers I spoke with Thursday even had a hard time explaining the process, admitting it is very complicated. Both Chief Helms and the ICE spokesperson say they`re on the lookout for Ayon-Torres and hopes she turns up soon, but she`s not at the top of their most-wanted list. ICE officers use a paper-trail system to determine if the person actually left the country, but with no other way of monitoring illegal immigrants under voluntary departure, many simply disappear-- like Ayon-Torres.