DHS | Enforcement News

CBP Officers Arrest 32 Hidden in Tractor-Trailer

October 30, 2009 (Jamul, Calif.) - U.S. Border Patrol agents uncovered a mass smuggling ploy in Jamul, Calif., during an vehicle inspection. The agents discovered a trap door on the trailer's undercarriage and found 30 illegal aliens hiding inside a modified compartment, concealed by several pieces of furniture wrapped in cellophane. The group included 24 males, four females, and one juvenile boy, all of whom are Mexican nationals, as well as one male citizen of Argentina. More at CBP.gov

3 Louisiana Citizens Sentenced for Transporting Illegal Aliens

October 30, 2009 (Lake Charles, La.) - Members of a large-scale illegal alien transportation operation based in Sulphur, La., were sentenced in federal court following an investigation by ICE agents. The FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, Sulphur Police Department and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation. More at ICE.gov

ICE Agents Arrest, Charge 9 in Alien Smuggling Ring

October 26, 2009 (Ft. Pierce, Fla.) - ICE special agents dismantled a Cuban smuggling ring in south Florida, indicting and arresting nine individuals for participating in an alien smuggling for profit operation. More at ICE.gov

2 Alien Smugglers in Miami Sentenced

October 23, 2009 (West Palm Beach, Fla.) - An ICE investigation led to the sentencing of two men from Miami for participating in an alien smuggling conspiracy of 34 Cuban nationals that resulted in a death. The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the West Palm Beach Police Department, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, and the Town of Palm Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation. More at ICE.gov

Maritime Task Force Stops 14 Suspected Migrants

October 14, 2009 (San Diego) - The Department’s Maritime Task Force intercepted 14 suspected illegal migrants in Mission Bay, Calif. U.S. Border Patrol alerted the Coast Guard to a suspected smuggling boat. When the Coast Guard boat arrived on scene, one person jumped from the smuggling boat and swam for shore. The Coast Guard transferred the 14 remaining people and the suspected smuggling boat to Customs and Border Protection personnel. CBP personnel are searching for the person who swam to shore. More at USCG.mil

Coast Guard Interdicts, Repatriates Four Cuban Migrants

October 14, 2009 (Miami) - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island repatriated four Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, after the interdiction of a go-fast vessel with four Cuban migrants and a suspected smuggler aboard. Following the passengers' safe transfer, the go-fast vessel sank. The suspected smuggler was later transferred to ICE agents in Key West, Fla. More at USCG.mil

ICE Agents Arrest Eight, Dismantle Human Smuggling Ring

October 14, 2009 (Los Angeles) - ICE agents arrested eight defendants linked to a drug trafficking and human smuggling ring with close ties to the Drew Street clique of the Avenues street gang. The ring allegedly smuggled more than 200 illegal aliens per year into the United States, charging $2,500 to $4,500. The fee depended on the type of smuggling method used, including concealing people in trucks and hidden compartments of vehicles, and providing aliens with fake or counterfeit immigration documents. More at ICE.gov

Three Texans Convicted of Conspiring, Harboring Illegal Aliens

October 13, 2009 (Corpus Christi, Texas) - A federal jury convicted three Texas men of conspiring to harbor and harboring illegal aliens who were constructing new student housing at Texas A&M University's Kingsville campus. ICE and CBP Border Patrol agents investigated the case. More at ICE.gov

CBP Officers Arrest 21 at Carlsbad State Beach

October 2, 2009 (Carlsbad, Calif.) - A U.S. Border Patrol agent saw suspected illegal aliens disembark a panga boat. Additional agents, along with San Diego sheriff’s deputies, responded to the scene and found 15 males, five females, and a 16-year-old boy. The agents determined that the individuals are Mexican nationals illegally in the country. More at CBP.gov

ICE-led Effort Results in 76 Arrests

September 30, 2009 (Salt Lake City) - An ICE-led two-month, multi-agency gang enforcement surge has led to the arrest of 76 gang members and associates, many with serious criminal histories, who are facing criminal charges or deportation. Of the 76, 36 six are facing federal or state criminal prosecution on charges ranging from re-entry after deportation to murder and drug possession; the remaining 40 are foreign nationals who are being processed for deportation. More at ICE.gov

CBP Apprehends 3 Fugitives, Stops 3 Cars with Hidden Aliens

September 28, 2009 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro border crossing apprehended three fugitives with homicide warrants and stopped a car with four persons hidden in a floor compartment. Officers at the Otay Mesa border crossing stopped two cars with illegal aliens hidden in compartments from entering the United States. More at CBP.gov

CBP Officers Stop Texas Alien Smuggling Attempt

September 17, 2009 (Brownsville, Texas) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at Veteran’s Bridge yesterday a female passenger in a Chevrolet Lumina did not have proper documents to legally enter the country. The driver was arrested on felony alien smuggling charges. More at CBP.gov

Coast Guard, CBP, and Calif. Sheriffs Apprehend 29

September 16, 2009 (San Diego) - The Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department interdicted two boats with suspected illegal migrants near Carlsbad, Calif. Six suspected migrants were caught in one boat and 23 in the second. More at USCG.mil

CBP Apprehends 8 Trying to Enter Illegally

September 16, 2009 (Nogales, Ariz.) - Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Nogales ports of entry caught eight people who presented documents that do not correspond to them. All were processed as immigration violators and either returned to Mexico after being barred from entering the United States or are being held in custody for possible prosecution on identity theft charges. More at CBP.gov

CBP Officers Stop 15 at Laredo

September 14, 2009 (Laredo, Texas) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo port of entry recently intercepted 15 people trying to enter the U. S. illegally by using documents that belong to someone else or had been altered. All 15 attempted fraud cases resulted in arrests for violations of immigration law. More at CBP.gov

CBP Apprehends 10 for ID Theft at Nogales

September 9, 2009 (Nogales, Ariz.) - CBP officers apprehended 10 Mexican nationals trying to enter the United States illegally. The violators attempted to use documents that did not correspond to them to make entry and one even went as far as trying to run past officers. They were processed as immigration violators and either returned to Mexico after being barred from entering the United States or are being held in custody for possible prosecution on identity theft charges. More at CBP.gov

CBP Apprehends 23 Fugitives, Stops 570 Violators at San Diego

September 8, 2009 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry along the California/ Mexico border captured 23 fugitives, stopped the illegal entry of 570 persons, and seized 1,360 pounds of narcotics valued at $3.26 million over the busy Labor Day weekend. More at CBP.gov

CBP Officers Stop 12 Imposters at Nogales Port of Entry

September 5, 2009 (Nogales, Ariz.) - While screening travelers applying for admission into the United States, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry stopped 12 people trying to enter illegally by using documents that belong to someone else. All were processed as immigration violators and either returned to Mexico after being barred from entering the United States or are being held in custody for possible prosecution on identity theft charges. More at CBP.gov

CBP Agents Apprehend 19 Illegal Aliens in Arizona

September 4, 2009 (Kingman, Ariz.) - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Yuma Sector’s Blythe station apprehended 19 illegal aliens and seized seven vehicles during an operation dedicated to reducing illegal trafficking on Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 93 and Highway 68. More at CBP.gov

Md. Business Owner Sentenced for Money Laundering, Hiring Illegal Aliens

September 4, 2009 (Baltimore) - Robert T. Bontempo, Jr., of Annapolis was sentenced to six months confinement in a halfway house as part of three years probation for hiring illegal aliens to work in his painting business and money laundering. The judge had previously entered a preliminary order of forfeiture requiring Bontempo to forfeit five bank accounts, 10 vehicles, including a Porsche Cayenne truck, and seven properties bought or paid for with the proceeds from the operations of his painting business, estimated to be worth more than $1 million. More at ICE.gov

CBP Agents Apprehend Fugitive, Rescue 3 Illegal Aliens from SUV

September 1, 2009 (San Ysidro, Calif.) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended a fugitive and rescued three illegal aliens hidden in the vehicle he was driving at the San Ysidro port of entry. Two of the illegal aliens, including a 15-year-old male, suffered burns and were hospitalized. The driver, a Cuban citizen, was arrested on alien smuggling charges. More at CBP.gov

CBP Agents Arrest 33 Illegal Aliens in Arizona

August 25, 2009 (Kingman, Ariz.) - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe station apprehend 33 illegal aliens and seized six vehicles and approximately four ounces of marijuana during an interdiction operation near Kingman, Ariz. More at CBP.gov

CBP Agents Intercept 23 Illegal Aliens on Carlsbad Beach

August 21, 2009 (Carlsbad, Calif.) - U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 23 Mexican nationals who illegally reached the San Diego coastline by sea. A panga boat dropped off 23 subjects, who were quickly apprehended by Border Patrol agens with the aid of Carlsbad police officers. More at CBP.gov

ICE Investigation Leads to Guilty Plea in Washington

August 18, 2009 (Seattle) - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pled guilty in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case. More at ICE.gov

ICE Investigation Leads to Smuggling Sentence

August 11, 2009 (Seattle) - A Brazilian national was sentenced to five months in federal prison for bringing people into the United States illegally, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. More at ICE.gov

CBP Agents Apprehend 22 Mexican Nationals Off San Diego Coast

August 10, 2009 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection marine interdiction agents apprehended 22 Mexican nationals who were attempting to illegally reach the San Diego coastline by sea. More at CBP.gov

CBP Officers Intercept 14 Fugitives, 448 Immigration Violators near San Diego

August 10, 2009 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry along the California/ Mexico border apprehended 14 fugitives with outstanding felony warrants, stopped 448 cases of illegal immigration, made 30 narcotic seizures with a street value of $1.2 million, and revoked a FAST participant. More at CBP.gov

CBP Agents Foil Alien Smuggling Attempts, Nab 90

August 7, 2009 (Tucson, Ariz.) - Border Patrol agents from the Tucson, Ariz. sector yesterday discovered a stash house with 42 people illegal aliens hiding in it. Agents determined that all were citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States. There were 24 males, nine females and nine accompanied juveniles. In a separate incident, agents apprehended 50 illegal aliens near the Douglas station. More at CBP.gov

29 Arrested in ICE-led Multi-Agency Gang Operation

August 7, 2009 (Las Vegas) - A total of 29 gang members and gang associates, including many with serious criminal histories, are in custody following a three-day multi-agency gang enforcement operation in Las Vegas and Mesquite, Nev., spearheaded by ICE. Two of the gang members arrested are facing federal criminal prosecution for re-entry after deportation. The others are foreign nationals who are being processed for deportation. The group includes a Salvadoran national with ties to the notorious MS-13 gang, a citizen of Afghanistan, and a citizen of the Bahamas; the others are citizens of Mexico. Most of the individuals arrested during the operation have criminal histories, including prior convictions for drug trafficking, weapons possession, kidnapping with a deadly weapon, home invasion, battery with a deadly weapon, coercing children with intent to engage in sexual conduct, grand larceny and theft. More at ICE.gov

CBP Agents Seize 8 Illegal Aliens

August 7, 2009 (Marfa, Texas) - A Border Patrol agent discovered evidence that led to the arrest of five Mexicans and the seizure of 347 pounds of marijuana. All five men were in the country illegally, and were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. More at CBP.gov

Immigration

Page Tools

Related Resources

Enforcement News