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Sniper investigators urge immigrants to help
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (CNN) -- Local and federal authorities Wednesday said illegal immigrants should not be afraid to come forward if they have information that might aid the Washington-area sniper investigation. "Perhaps some of our immigrant community members feel like there would be some problem for them because of their status or some questions with regard to their status if they come forward," said Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose. "So we hope that is not the case. But if that is the case, we want to stress that that is not our interest in this matter." Moose said calls to the sniper tip line would remain confidential, adding that discussion of immigration status "wouldn't be appropriate." Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner James Ziglar released a statement encouraging undocumented aliens who may have information regarding the sniper attacks to contact local authorities. "I want to personally urge the immigrant community to come forward if they have information that will assist in this investigation and assure everyone that the INS will not seek immigration status information provided to local authorities in this effort," Ziglar's statement said. It also said authorities would "look favorably" on granting special visa status to "anyone who can be proven to have materially aided this investigation." An individual that investigators believe to be the sniper has called into authorities more than once, and the calls have been recorded, according to sources. The voice, the sources say, is male and displays an accent. But investigators say they are not sure how authentic it is because experts cannot agree on its origin. They suggest it could be a phony accent or could have been electronically altered. Moose said he couldn't address the situation in Richmond, Virginia, where two illegal immigrants were turned over to the INS for deportation after authorities picked them up for questioning Monday. The men were questioned after Saturday's sniper shooting in Ashland, about 15 miles north of Richmond, and authorities later determined they were not involved. "Maryland police officers do not have any authority or authorization to enforce immigration laws," Moose said. The sniper has killed 10 people and wounded three in Maryland, Virginia and Washington since October 2.
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