PAYSON UTAH (ABC4 News) – A drive to work has changed the lives of a Payson family.
Doris George-Torres was headed to work early Thursday morning.
As she approached the town of Benjamin a Utah County sheriff’s deputy noticed her high beams and pulled her over.
Her husband was also in the car when trouble started.
“He asked for her identification and then asked if she had ever been deported back to her country,” said Rafael Acosta. “She said no but he asked her about ten times and she kept saying no.
Acosta said the officer also asked him and his stepson for identification even though they were just passengers.
“He even asked me if I was an illegal and I told him I don't have to answer that,” Acosta said. “If we were white would he have been asking so many questions?”
George-Torres was jailed after the deputy learned there was an outstanding immigration warrant.
Her son Downey George was also jailed and immigration was notified.
Meanwhile, Acosta was free to go home.
"I was crying, pleading with him and I even got down on my knees and told him we have a family and children please don't do this,” Acosta said. “But he wouldn't listen.”
A new Utah law allows police to question one's legal status. But only two counties have been certified to do so. Utah County isn't one of those.
Their arrest has caught the attention of Latino leaders.
They concede the arrest appeared legitimate because of the warrant but the line of questioning when the stop was made troubles them.
"It doesn't mean that police officers or anybody has the free will to question someone's legal status and that’s what we will be watching for,” said Tony Yapias, a community activist.
A spokesman for the Utah County sheriff’s office said he’s not familiar with the specifics of the case.
“But a deputy can stop someone for shining their high beams, it’s a primary violation,” said Sgt. Spencer Cannon.
“If someone has an outstanding warrant, even if it’s an immigration warrant, we can take them to jail. We have authority to do that.”
