Thursday, March 28, 2024
spot_img
HomeNewsCaribbean NewsNon-Citizens from the Dominican Republic face charges for smuggling 43 Haitians into...

Non-Citizens from the Dominican Republic face charges for smuggling 43 Haitians into Mona Island, Puerto Rico

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico – Four men from the Dominican Republic appeared last week before the US District Court in San Juan facing criminal charges after the US Border Patrol agents arrested them for transporting 43 Haitian migrants into Mona Island.

The Ramey Sector of the US Border Patrol issued a warning Friday into the dangers of crossing the Mona Passage and leaving migrants in the inhospitable island of Mona.

“We will continue to pursue criminal prosecution for anyone smuggling non-citizens into the United States,” stated Xavier Morales, chief patrol agent at the Ramey Sector. “Bringing non-citizens into Mona Island is a serious crime and puts lives at risk. We will bring the smugglers to justice.”

By narrowing immigration channels, more people seek the help of smugglers, who endanger the lives and integrity of migrants in their increasingly risky efforts to bypass border controls.

Carlos Javier Lopez, Josue Elias Robles, Jonathan Garcia and Mauricio Sosa Belen appeared before US Magistrate Judges Marcos E. Lopez and Marshal D. Morgan for their initial hearings. They are charged with violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324, for bringing in and harboring migrants.

A US Coast Guard cutter transported the group to the Mayaguez Port where Border Patrol took custody of the group for processing.

Assistant US attorney Evelyn Canals is prosecuting the cases.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment, or a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

spot_img
RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Caribbean News

France to open Embassy in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (DPI) - The governments of Guyana and France have announced their decision to establish a French Embassy in Georgetown in 2025, highlighting...

Global News

Afreximbank – CDP signs MoU for €200-million facility to support food security interventions across Africa

The financing will support the Bank’s interventions in food security and climate smart agriculture. The two also signed an MoU to enhance cooperation...