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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Stop Alleged Smuggling Attempt of a Minor Child

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Stop Alleged Smuggling Attempt of a Minor Child

Release Date
Mon, 05/13/2013

Progreso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Progreso International Bridge intercepted a woman for alleged violations of immigration law. The United States citizen allegedly attempted to facilitate a Mexican child's entry into the United States without valid entry documents.

On Friday, May 10, at the Progreso International Bridge a 30-year-old female U.S. citizen who resides in Edinburg, Texas and a minor child applied for admission to enter the United States as pedestrians. A CBP officer's primary inspection resulted in both being referred to CBP secondary for further inspection and review of entry documents presented. In passport control secondary, CBP officers reviewed the birth certificate presented by the adult for the minor child. CBP officers identified the minor child as a citizen of Mexico born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico with no legal documents to enter or reside in the United States.

CBP officers took the adult into custody for alleged violations of immigration law. The five-year-old Mexican minor child was processed as an unaccompanied alien child and will be placed in the care of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS-ORR).

"This alleged smuggling attempt of a child into the country was foiled thanks to the good work by our CBP officers working on the frontline. Stopping the movement of children by would-be smugglers at the border helps to keep these children out of possible harm's way," said Carlos Rodriguez, CBP port director, Progreso/Donna port of entry.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021