U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested two Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in separate incidents for their involvement in human smuggling in the sanctuary state of California.
The first incident happened last Wednesday when agents received a tip from an American citizen who saw suspected human smuggling occurring near Torrey Pines State Beach. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports:
Agents observed the vehicle stopped on the side of Interstate 5 near Dairy Mart Rd. at around 12:10 p.m., and conducted an immigration check.
Agents found three men inside the vehicle, the driver, a 20-year-old DACA recipient, his 22-year-old cousin who is a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States, and a 21-year-old Mexican national illegally in the country. Both the driver and his cousin admitted their involvement with human smuggling in the area. The driver, a beneficiary of DACA which has since expired, is currently being held in Federal custody.
The second incident happened last Thursday morning when agents in San Diego County arrested a group of illegal aliens and then conducted an immigration check on suspicious vehicles nearby. CBP reports:
Agents questioned the driver, a 22-year-old male Mexican national, who admitted that he was performing scouting duties for a smuggling crew. He also admitted that he was coordinating with another driver of a vehicle to relay information related to Border Patrol operations in the area and the status of the Border Patrol checkpoint to aid in illegal smuggling.
Border Patrol agents learned that the man resides in Riverside County as a DACA recipient. Agents also discovered that the man had successfully participated in alien smuggling on multiple occasions. The man, in violation of the terms of his DACA status, is currently being held in Department of Homeland Security custody for removal proceedings.
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