Human Smuggling—El Paso

After a two-year investigation, ICE agents have arrested the leaders of two alleged human smuggling networks.^[1] According to ICE, three “masterminds” and nine associates were arrested last Friday after being indicted on charges that they smuggled and transported more than 600 aliens from the El Paso area to Dallas and beyond.^[2] The operations allegedly generated more than US$1.6 million in smuggling fees by smuggling Brazilians, Colombians, Hondurans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Nicaraguans, Ecuadorians, and Mexicans into the country.^[3] Depending on the nationality, it is claimed, those wishing to get into the US were charged between US$1,500 and US$6,000.^[4]

The operation also allegedly made use of “drop houses,” which we recently discussed, as well as tractor-trailers containing “35 to 79 people crammed in … for the non-stop nine-hour trip to Dallas from El Paso with no food and limited water”; sometimes the doors to the trailer were padlocked.^[5]

Human smuggling is a transnational crime that is covered by 8 U.S.C. § 1324. Under this statute, it is a crime for a person, knowing that an alien has not received prior official authorization to enter the United States, to bring that person into the US for the purpose of financial gain. The punishment for violating this section is a fine, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.^[6] Harboring illegal aliens is also a crime, which can be punished by a fine, the potential for life in prison, or both.^[7] Conspiracy to do any of the previous is also a crime that carries the same punishment.^[8]

---

[1] ICE, ICE Arrests Leaders of 2 Alien Smuggling Networks, Jan. 9, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(B).
[7] Id. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii).
[8] Id. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I).