Man caught attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a trailer
A Texas man is facing serious charges after attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the United States in a locked tractor trailer. Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, from Laredo, Texas, has been indicted on three counts, including conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the U.S. and transportation of an undocumented alien within the U.S. for financial gain.
Law enforcement officials observed Aguirre loading a large group of migrants into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot on December 2. After the trailer departed, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the truck hauling the trailer and discovered 101 undocumented immigrants, including 12 unaccompanied children, crammed inside.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, two of the migrants reported having difficulty breathing and feared for their lives due to the overcrowded conditions in the trailer. Aguirre could face up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000.
The number of individuals sentenced for alien smuggling offenses in the U.S. has been on the rise under the Biden administration, reaching 4,731 in fiscal year 2023. The top five districts for human smuggling are all along the southern border, with Texas accounting for over 60% of the U.S. border with Mexico.
In 2023, there were 64,124 alien smuggling offense cases reported, with about 10% involving unaccompanied minors. Recent reports from local news sources in Laredo have highlighted a concerning increase in human smuggling incidents, leading to high-risk vehicle pursuits and other dangerous situations.
To address the issue, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently launched a billboard ad campaign in Mexico and Central America to warn potential illegal migrants of the dangers of attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. The governor emphasized the risks posed by human traffickers and urged immigrants not to risk a dangerous journey that could result in arrest and deportation.
As the Biden administration continues to grapple with the challenges of immigration enforcement, cases like Aguirre’s highlight the ongoing threat posed by human smuggling operations along the southern border. It is essential for authorities to remain vigilant and take decisive action to combat these criminal activities and protect the safety and security of both migrants and the American public.
