Radio Station Segment Alerts Listeners To Border Patrol Agents
SAN ANTONIO -- A segment warning undocumented immigrants about immigration agents could be delaying San Antonio's leading Spanish-language radio station from renewing its license.

In the recurring KROM-Radio segment, callers report sightings of immigration agents.

“Estreo Latino'' disc jockeys then alert listeners about the location of limones verdes, or “green limes.'' The words refer to the dark green Border Patrol uniforms and green-lined SUVs.

Since the segment started five years ago, there hasn't been public outcry. No complaints by the Border Patrol, which has an eight-agent office in San Antonio.

But retired Houston lawyer Joe Ray Blalack has asked the Federal Communications Commission to deny KROM a license renewal because of the segment. The FCC has received 38 citizen complaints against the station, all from outside Texas.

Since August, KROM 92.9 FM has been operating with an expired license. Station attorney Scott Flick said in a letter that KROM is concerned the Blalack letter is delaying the process.

An FCC spokeswoman said the station's renewal application is under review, and no timetable for a decision was available.

Alex Nogales with the National Hispanic Media Coalition said KROM's segment seems to bring more laughter than harm and the station should not lose its license.