Iraqis entered the Valley illegally

HARLINGEN – NEWSCHANNEL 5 is tracking information on three Iraqis who slipped into the Valley over the weekend.

We’re told the men are each in their early 20s. They were caught near the Los Indios International Bridge near Harlingen on Saturday. FBI agents say the men claim to be Christians who are afraid they will face persecution if they are returned to Iraq.

Before they were caught at the border, the men were arrested in Mexico carrying Greek passports. They were held almost a month for entering Mexico illegally. But we’re told the Mexican government released them and told them to “go north”.

We’re told they are still in the Valley and are being questioned about why and how they got here.

Since October, 11 Iraqis have been caught entering the U.S. illegally.