Officials say they will “aggressively target and dismantle” human smuggling operations.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the sentencing of a transnational human smuggler. Ofelia Hernandez Salas of Mexico and several co-conspirators moved foreigners into the United States illegally, sometimes charging upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. They utilized different options for entry, such as providing ladders to climb over the U.S. – Mexico border wall or locating holes at the bottom of the fencing. The illegal aliens would travel from and through up to 19 countries, including Russia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Bangladesh.
“Transnational human smuggling at a large scale directly threatens our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Ofelia Hernandez Salas and her co-conspirators endangered our communities on a massive scale by illegally bringing foreign nationals from more than a dozen countries into the United States. Not only did she take away the ability to properly vet these people from immigration authorities, she and her co-conspirators also robbed these people of their personal belongings at gun or knife point.“
AAG Duva continued, “Illegal border crossings are already incredibly dangerous; this defendant only increased the potential of mortal danger they faced by adding robbery to her criminal acts.”
Hernandez Salas and co-conspirator Raul Saucedo-Huipio were arrested in 2023 and remained in federal custody. Both have pleaded guilty to various charges against them in court. Saucedo-Huipio’s sentencing is pending until June 2026. Hernandez Salas will be deported upon the completion of her sentence.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Assistant Attorney General Duva and members of the DOJ’s Criminal Division as they seek justice and hold transnational human smugglers accountable to the full extent of the law.
- For Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be discerning as he heads the Department of Justice.
- For judges in the federal court system to interpret the law wisely as criminals are brought to justice.
Sources: Department of Justice
