Arizona border officers arrest woman accused of smuggling two children into the US
Sep 3, 2024, 6:00 PM
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – A woman was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Luis for an alleged child smuggling attempt, authorities announced on Tuesday.
On Thursday, around 11:30 p.m., Arizona border officers at the San Luis Port of Entry witnessed a 28-year-old woman driving with two minors in a 2007 Nissan Sentra. The woman, a U.S. citizen, gave the border officers U.S. birth certificates for the children, ages 8 and 11. Afterwards, the woman and children were directed for a secondary inspection.
During the inspection, officers found the children were not related to the woman despite her saying they were her family members. The children’s birth certificates were discovered to be authentic but did not belong to the children, who were Mexican citizens.
In addition to the false documents, the children told officers they were given sleep sedatives in order to assist in aiding detection while they entered into the U.S.
Officers arrested the woman for allegedly violating U.S. immigration law and seized the vehicle.
“Our CBP officers prevented this child smuggling attempt utilizing their experience and inspectional skills,” Chris Leon, area port director for San Luis, said in a press release. “CBP remains committed to upholding our U.S. immigration laws.”