HOUSTON, Texas – An illegal immigrant from Mexico was arrested at a gynecological office in Houston, Texas, for allegedly presenting a fake ID. The staff notified law enforcement authorities that she had presented a falsified drivers license with her health insurance card.
Blanco Hortencia Borrego, 45, was at the Northeast Women’s Healthcare clinic when deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office arrested her.
Staff at the clinic notified authorities that she had presented what appeared to be a false drivers license. The deputies found a falsified social security card after they searched her upon arrest.
Borrego has been charged with a felony in connection with the social security card. The charge is tampering with a governmental document.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Borrego’s 22-year-old daughter talked to the outlet and recounted what had happened at the clinic but asked not to be identified because she has applied for legal status under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Section 37.10 of the Texas Penal Code, entitled “Tampering with Governmental Record,” makes it a criminal offense for anyone who “makes, presents, or uses any record, document, or thing with knowledge of its falsity and with intent that it be taken as a genuine governmental record.” The offense is a state jail felony.
Borrego has hired Houston Immigration lawyer Clarissa Guajardo. In response to an email by Breitbart Texas inquiring among other things, whether any protests are planned, Borrego’s attorney confirmed that two protests have been planned. There is a protest planned by the Texas Organizing Project and by the National Latina Reproductive Rights Institute.
Harris County set bail at a $35,000 bond. According to Randy Kubosh of Kubosh Bail Bonding in Houston, “the Harris County bail schedule sets a $35,000 bond for any undocumented aliens.”
Borrego had been in the Harris County jail since September 3rd but was released Tuesday night.
Carlos Manzano of Americia’s Bail Bonds in Houston voluntarily posted her bond. Manzano told Breitbart Texas, “We are all human and she deserves to get a fair trial.” He said, “She could not afford to bond out and I just wanted to help her. It was the humane thing to do.”
A court date for arraignment has been set for September 21st at 9:00 a.m.
This article has been updated to include a response from Borrego’s attorney.
Lana Shadwick is a contributing writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She has served as a prosecutor and an associate judge in Texas. Follow her on Twitter @LanaShadwick2
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