Burning Atlanta

I don't get why they can't kick in doors as any other law enforcement officers are allowed if they have cause. If I'm wanted for an outstanding warrant, and the police know I'm in the residence, they can ask nicely for me to come out then smash the door down if I don't come out.

No more Mr. Nice Guy. Bust them.

The officers, who swarmed García before he could get out of his beat-up white pickup, actually were federal immigration agents. They were looking for him.

A dozen years ago, García had admitted in immigration court that he was in the country illegally and agreed to go back to Mexico. He never did.

Unable to catch the day's other "targets," the agents had staked out the house for about 30 minutes but were about to pull out of this small town on the Rio Grande near Laredo.

South-Central Texas has four of the eight-member roving squads — two based in San Antonio, one in Harlingen and one in Waco. The region went from 176 arrests in 2006 to 1,326 last year.

A three-day operation by the San Antonio teams in the Laredo area this week showed the hit-or-miss essence of their mission. They had identified 26 "targets." They captured three.

Besides García, agents surprised a man from El Salvador wanted for overstaying his welcome. The third case involved a Mexican national convicted of dealing drugs 19 years ago.

Unlike other federal agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service or FBI, which can crash through doors armed with criminal warrants, ICE agents have no such power — they're enforcing immigration law, a civil matter.

That's why most arrests come through "knock-and-talks," identifying suspects once they open their doors. Entering and searching homes can be done only if residents allow it. That's BULLSHIT. If theyr'e after a convicted murderer, rapist, child molester, etc.. they have to play nice?

Cruz, 60, had worked for 16 years in sales at Joe Brand, an upscale men's clothing store at the Mall Del Norte in Laredo. A man inquiring about suit prices this week was Rodríguez, confirming Cruz's identity.

Still in a crisp black suit with matching peach-colored shirt and tie, a shocked Cruz fidgeted with his cell phone, shook his legs and let out loud sighs as an ICE agent readied him for deportation.

He begged the officer for a chance to clarify his situation — to no avail. An immigration judge had ordered him deported in 2005 at a hearing he missed because his lawyer never informed him about it, Cruz said.

"I need to talk to my lawyer. You can't just kick me out like this," Cruz said in Spanish to the agent, who ignored him, tapping away on a computer.

Cruz's past was also tainted with a drug conviction in 1989 after being caught with 180 pounds of marijuana.

About two hours after the arrest, agents drove him to an international bridge and watched him walk to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. As he faded into the distance, an agent with binoculars made sure he had crossed.  "You can't just kick me out like this." Just watch us, you turd.