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Human Smuggling

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Major Enforcement Operation in Guatemala City Secures Arrest of Human Smuggler

SAN ANTONIO — On Aug. 21, extensive coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department and its domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network following an investigation led by HSI.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Major Enforcement Operation in Guatemala Secures Arrest of Human Smuggler Indicted by JTFA

Extensive coordination and collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and domestic and international partners resulted in a major enforcement operation that dismantled a human smuggling network based in Guatemala. In June 2022, this network smuggled people into the United States on a journey that ended with the deaths of 53 migrants in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-one of the deceased migrants were Guatemalan.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Del Rio Investigation Results in 40-Year Sentence for Texas Human Smuggling Leader

DEL RIO, Texas — A Mexican citizen was sentenced for illegal noncitizen transportation resulting in death following an investigation conducted by HSI with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Casa Grande, Border Patrol Case Results in Human Smuggling Coordinator Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — A Phoenix man was sentenced July 16 by a U.S. district judge to 72 months in prison followed by five years of supervised released for his role in human smuggling.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Casa Grande, Border Patrol Case Results in Human Smuggling Coordinator Sent to Prison

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — A Utah man was sentenced Aug. 8 to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his involvement as a human smuggling coordinator.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI Sells Case Results in Phoenix Man Charged for Role as Recruiter and Coordinator of Human Smugglers

SELLS, Ariz. — A Surprise area man was arrested July 23 following his role in recruiting a driver and coordinating the transportation of two undocumented noncitizens in March 2024, one of whom suffered fatal injuries.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI El Paso, Border Patrol Agents Arrest 13 Migrants, 1 Smuggler in Central El Paso Airbnb House

EL PASO, Texas — On Aug. 8, for the second time in a week, HSI El Paso special agents arrested undocumented noncitizens found inside a stash house.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

HSI El Paso Special Agents Discover 56 Migrants in West El Paso Stash House

EL PASO, Texas — HSI El Paso special agents assigned to the Border Enforcement Security Task Force Aug. 6 arrested 56 undocumented noncitizens in a stash house in West El Paso.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

High-Ranking Leader in Human Smuggling Organization Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A high-ranking leader in a human smuggling organization was sentenced to eight years in federal prison Aug. 7 following an investigation conducted by HSI and law enforcement partners.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Collaboration Among HSI, Border Patrol and Mexican Authorities Results in Rescue of Child Kidnapping Victim

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Mexican authorities rescued a 9-year-old boy from Honduras who was being held for ransom by members of a transnational criminal organization in the border town south of El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 2.