EL CENTRO, CA – In a disturbing incident that highlights the ongoing threat of child smuggling along the US-Mexico border, two United States citizens were arrested and charged with alien smuggling after attempting to bring two unaccompanied Mexican children into the country.
According to officials from the El Centro Sector U.S. Border Patrol, the incident occurred on Tuesday at a Highway 86 immigration checkpoint near Westmorland, California. A silver SUV, driven by a woman and carrying another woman in the front passenger seat, was stopped for secondary inspection after discrepancies were noted in the driver’s story.
During the review of the children’s documents, agents discovered that the photos and names on the identification cards did not match those of the minors. Further questioning revealed that the two girls, ages 10 and 12, were unaccompanied minors from Mexico, unrelated to the driver or passenger.
“This is a stark reminder of how child trafficking can begin,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino of the El Centro Sector. “It’s heartbreaking to think about the heinous crimes that these children may face without their parents by their side.”
Both women are facing charges under 8 USC 1324, Alien Smuggling, and the smuggler’s vehicle has been seized as evidence.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat posed by child smuggling along the US-Mexico border. The El Centro Sector U.S. Border Patrol has expressed its commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, such as unaccompanied minors, from exploitation and harm.
Source: CBP
