HUDSON - The police cited two illegal immigrants during a routine traffic stop under the state's criminal trespass law, a strategy first used in New Ipswich last month.

Sergio Ruiz-Robles, 21, and Margarito Jaramillo Escobar, 23, both of Nashua, were issued the summons on Tuesday night after they were stopped along Route 102. They produced Mexican government identifications when asked for ID, Hudson Police Chief Richard Gendron said yesterday.

It was determined that the two were in the United States illegally, Gendron said. The men are scheduled to appear in Nashua District court on May 26. Ruiz-Robles also was issued a citation for driving without a valid license.

The criminal trespassing statute says a person is guilty if, "knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place."

The idea is that if the immigrants are in the country illegally, they're also in Hudson illegally, Gendron said.

"It's pretty creative," Gendron said of the use of the statute. "It's going to put the issue now in the hands of the courts to make that decision."

Last month, authorities in New Ipswich cited an illegal immigrant with trespassing when his vehicle broke down in town. Police Chief Garrett Chamberlain has said it's his way of getting federal authorities to take the issue seriously.

Immigration authorities refused to take Jorge Mora Ramirez, 21, of Waltham, Mass., into custody, but since have said the Mexican citizen must report to an immigration court for a hearing.

Last week, Ramirez, who had pleaded guilty, changed his plea. The Mexican Consulate asked for a lawyer to handle his case. His trial is scheduled in July.

Gendron said now that there is a heightened awareness of homeland security, such basics as identifying illegal immigrants need to be addressed.

Gendron said the law will stick.

"What would happen if this individual got into a motor vehicle accident and seriously injured somebody who was not supposed to be in this country to begin with?" he said.