Related videos:
Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, a 30-year-old Cuban citizen, will spend nearly a decade behind bars in a federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to trafficking in persons.
According to the official statement published by the Western District of Texas Attorney's Office on the DOJ website, Arriola-Rivero assisted in the detention of undocumented immigrants and managed a safe house in El Paso.
Additionally, in April 2023, he was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from law enforcement and was carrying more than a dozen undocumented immigrants.
But his crimes were not limited to smuggling; after an investigation revealed that Arriola-Rivero sexually assaulted one of them in the safe house in El Paso, the charges against him were escalated.
The Cuban was formally charged by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2023 and arrested on September 7, 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 27, 2024.
"It is important to note that Arriola-Rivero is considered responsible not only for the significant role he played in human trafficking operations but also for his abominable decision to dehumanize and sexually assault one of his victims," stated federal prosecutor Jaime Esparza. "This sentencing makes it clear to traffickers in El Paso and along the southern border that if they engage in human trafficking in our district, they will be held accountable."
“Today, justice was served against an operator of a safe house who organized the trafficking of hundreds of undocumented immigrants and sexually assaulted one of them, while cramming them into trucks in the sweltering heat of Texas,” stated Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso.
He also added that “HSI is committed to vigorously combating human traffickers and human trafficking organizations that continuously exploit individuals for profit. We will relentlessly pursue these criminals who take advantage of vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
More and more Cuban citizens are becoming involved in human trafficking networks in the United States.
In October 2024, another Cuban was arrested in Arizona after being caught transporting six Mexican migrants under irregular conditions.
The man, 24 years old, was arrested by the Border Patrol after attempting to evade a vehicle checkpoint, and was charged with human trafficking and evading federal authorities.
That same year, two Cuban citizens were arrested in La Joya, Texas, after being caught transporting six undocumented immigrants, hidden in their vehicles. One of the detainees even attempted to flee on foot when intercepted by border agents.
The truth is that the Cuban exodus has become fertile ground for human trafficking, and the routes from Nicaragua, Mexico, and Central America are increasingly exploited by Cuban, Mexican, and other nationality "coyotes" who see the suffering of others as a profitable business.
Frequently asked questions about human trafficking and the migration of Cubans in the U.S.
Why was Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero convicted in the U.S.?
Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero was sentenced to nine years in prison for conspiracy to traffic in persons and sexual assault. Arriola-Rivero assisted in the confinement of undocumented immigrants and managed a safe house in El Paso, where he also sexually assaulted one of the immigrants. His conviction is part of the authorities' efforts to combat human trafficking at the southern border of the U.S.
What measures is the U.S. taking to curb human trafficking at the southern border?
The U.S. authorities are intensifying immigration control operations, collaborating with various agencies to dismantle criminal organizations engaged in human trafficking. The Trump administration has implemented stricter immigration policies to curb illegal immigration and protect the borders. This includes mass arrests and deportations of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
How do the recent immigration policies affect Cubans in the U.S.?
Stricter immigration policies have resulted in an increase in detentions and deportations of Cubans involved in human trafficking or with criminal records. Enforcement operations have put many Cubans at risk of deportation, especially those with pending deportation orders. The situation reflects the growing pressure on Cuban migrants in the context of current immigration policy.
Filed under: