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Bastrop Co. Sheriff's office faces backlash after 'Zero Tolerance' traffic operation deports a dozen

"It scares me that they arrest us, and many times we have to leave our children behind," said an undocumented woman who lives in Bastrop County.

BASTROP, Texas -- The Bastrop County Sheriff's office is facing backlash after a Texas state representative and an Interfaith group said they believe a recent traffic enforcement targeted immigrants and Hispanics.

The Bastrop County Sheriff's department pulled over 63 drivers, 24 people were arrested, and 13 were deported.

An undocumented immigrant living in Bastrop County said the situation has left her too scared to even get behind the wheel.

"It scares me that they arrest us, and many times we leave our children behind," said the woman who works off FM 812.

Identified as "Lupita" to protect her identity, she said she's heartbroken at what's going on in the streets of Bastrop County.

"Only because of a simple infraction they take you to jail, and from there immediately send you back to Mexico if you don't have documents," Lupita said.

This is a reminder of losing her brother just more than a month ago. He was pulled over for having an expired registration, and deported, leaving behind his wife and young son.

"We tried to take him out so he can stay with his child because he is very sick," Lupita said.

This past weekend, the "zero tolerance" traffic operation led by the sheriff's department sent 13 people back to their native countries.

Sheriff Maurice Cook told KVUE media partner the Austin American-Statesman that this operation was a routine law enforcement tactic made after being asked for larger police presence in the area.

Lupita said this process continues the separation of families.

"Don't arrest us," Lupita said. "Don't take us to jail just because of those minor things."

Lupita believes this policy is targeting regular people, instead of criminals.

"I don't want the same thing that happened to my brother to happen to other people," Lupita said. "If they do something minor, all I ask is that they get their designated tickets."

The Mexican consulate said this shows an alarming escalation of federal and local authorities working together on immigration enforcement.

Monday afternoon families in the neighborhood of Stony Point gathered outside of the San Juan Diego church to share their stories, and deep concern. They also called for a one-on-one meeting with Sheriff Cook.

"We ask Sheriff Cook to meet with leaders of Bastrop Interfaith, to develop a strategy to heal the community's broken confidence. We ask our other county officials and community leaders to encourage the sheriff to work with us and the Hispanic community to make Bastrop county a safer place for all residents," said Bastrop Interfaith leader Edie Clark

KVUE reached out to Sheriff Cook for an additional comment, and a spokesperson said he will not make any more statements until he can have some discussions with his staff next week.

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