HOUSTON – A day after three dozen undocumented immigrants were discovered inside a northeast Houston home, Local 2 got a glimpse at their deplorable living conditions.
Police say Thursday they received a tip that dozens of people were being held inside the home on 8300 Nyssa Street against their will. The group of 36 detainees were comprised of 29 men and seven women, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials say.
They came from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Brazil and ranged in age from 16-36. Many of them had to have water poured in their mouths by officers as they sat in the sweltering heat, their hands bound behind them.
HPD Spokesperson Kese Smith said, "As a precaution, because of the heat and humidity, HPD supervisors requested that HFD come out looking for signs of possible dehydration."
Police say no one had to be taken to hospital. After being detained outside for two hours, the group was eventually ushered inside a METRO bus so they could cool off.
Investigators say they don't know how long they'd been exposed to inhumane conditions. One unkept toilet was spotted at the end of an unworkable hallway littered with clothes and clutter.
A Border Patrol cap hung in another room next to a Catholic shrine.
Outside lay blankets and life vests, a reminder of the long and dangerous journey to the U.S. that ended Thursday.
The four arrested suspects and the detainees are now in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement custody.
According to county records, the listed owners of the house live less than a mile away from the alleged stash house.
Local 2 went to the home but no one answered the door. Minutes later, the woman who neighbors say was one of the homeowners pulled into the driveway. But she reversed and drove away the moment she saw our cameras approach.
The homeowners are not charged in this case but ICE officials said the same home on Nyssa was raided by federal agents in March 2013.