People smuggling case names Betancourt
Seattle Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and the family of Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras were among the Cubans allegedly smuggled into the United States by an agent and others accused of immigration violations, federal prosecutors say.
Betancourt and another Cuban baseball player, Zaydel Beltran, were among a group of Cubans smuggled to the United States by boat on Dec. 4, 2003, and then driven to Los Angeles, according to documents filed this week in the case against agent Gustavo “Gus” Dominguez and five other defendants.
It gets weirder:
Betancourt was driven from Los Angeles to Mexico to obtain a visa to legitimize his entry into the United States but his Mexican passport was “determined to be fraudulent,” prosecutors said. He was arrested by Mexican authorities but later released and entered the U.S. again on Oct. 10, 2004, as a Cuban seeking asylum.
Some strange stuff afoot.
Weird indeed, but if MLB fails to make sure this case goes their way, I’ll be pretty surprised.
December 13th, 2006 at 4:22 pmVery strange… But what does this actual mean for Betancourt? If it doesn’t all go away?
December 13th, 2006 at 4:27 pm“Betancourt shipped back to Cuba” would be the worst possible news.
December 13th, 2006 at 4:45 pmThey won’t send him, or anyone else who manages to make it to dry land, back to Cuba.
From the State Department’s web site:
December 13th, 2006 at 4:48 pmI doubt this ends up affecting Betancourt at all legally. He may have to go testify or something, but I doubt any charges will be filed against him.
He is here legally now as a Cuban refugee, and I’d be very surprised if the feds had the balls to deport a major league ballplayer.
Besides, he wasn’t the smuggler, he was the one being smuggled!
December 13th, 2006 at 4:50 pmI’ve heard that they deport you if you commit a felony, but I don;t think this applies to Betancourt.
December 13th, 2006 at 4:52 pmwith all george’s policies he may be regarded as a terrorist or a threat to homeland security
December 13th, 2006 at 4:59 pmI thought he risked his life to get to Mexico from Cuba, but then got here legally from there based upon his baseball potential. Or was that propaganda? ’shrug’ Instead of sending Bentacourt back, can we trade Sexson to the Cubans for a couple more Bentacourt-types? Maybe a pitcher or two?
December 13th, 2006 at 5:00 pmI think 4 and 5 have a good point. Clinton turned people back but that was at sea. Once you hit dry land as a Cuban refugee, regardless of what the laws say, you have a special status.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:02 pmThat was at least the cover story, but know it seems like the truth is coming out.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:02 pm“Now” it seems like the truth, not “know”.. Long day at work…
December 13th, 2006 at 5:05 pmis this a sick joke
December 13th, 2006 at 5:17 pmThe Vidro rumor has its own thread. Stop posting here, please.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:18 pmIf you are getting smuggled to America, and touch american shore, you can not be shipped back. He just went to Mexico to recieve a VISA to make the whole process alot easier. it is in the constitution!
just a little legel bit for all you!
December 13th, 2006 at 8:33 pmIt’s not in the Constitution.
December 13th, 2006 at 8:36 pm