DEL RIO, Texas — Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of a human smuggler who allegedly participated in an international human smuggling conspiracy following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from our federal law enforcement partners.
Monica Hernandez-Palma, also known as Moni, 32, a Mexican national, was arrested in Mexico pursuant to a U.S. request for her extradition and surrendered by Mexico to U.S. authorities on Jan. 16 to face charges. Hernandez-Palma made her initial appearance Jan. 17 in federal court where an indictment against her was unsealed.
According to court documents, beginning in November 2020 and continuing through September 2023, Hernandez-Palma conspired with others to bring and attempt to bring migrants to the United States illegally for commercial advantage and private financial gain.
Hernandez-Palma is charged with one count of conspiracy to bring a migrant to the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry and three counts of bringing a migrant to the United States without authorization and for purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors
Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Pavlinski for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
The HSI San Antonio area of responsibility (AOR) covers more than 500 miles of border with three DSAC locations: Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, and San Antonio. Combined, these offices respond to 22 ports of entry (18 land, 3 air and 1 sea), several railroad bridges/yards, seven U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints, and numerous state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies within the AOR.
HSI San Antonio continues to address the serious public safety threat posed by human smuggling organizations and their reckless disregard for the health and safety of the people they exploit. To report suspicious smuggling activity, you are urged to call 866-348-2423.
Learn more about HSI San Antonio’s mission to increase public safety in South Texas communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSI_SanAntonio.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.