Agents from the United States Border Patrol (USBP) and the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office dismantled a human smuggling operation in Mission, Texas, which involved Cuban individuals.
On December 19, authorities discovered a house where 24 undocumented immigrants were hiding, waiting to be transported, reported on the social media platform X by USBP Chief, Michael W. Banks.
The official indicated that the migrants come from eight countries: Cuba, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico, but did not specify the numbers from each nation.
"These individuals came from various countries, which once again demonstrates that cartels are transnational criminal organizations," Banks warned.
He indicated that the arrested smuggler is facing legal proceedings for human trafficking, and the immigrants will be processed for their deportation.
Operations like this are part of the offensive led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the federal agencies that comprise it—such as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection)—to locate, apprehend, and deport immigrants with irregular status who have committed crimes.
Recently, DHS leadership reaffirmed that agencies continue to "intensify law enforcement efforts," following reports suggesting a possible shift in immigration policy, towards the end of mass raids and a more selective approach.
An overwhelming majority of Americans supports the deportation of immigrants who are illegally in the country and have committed crimes, according to the latest Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll.
Eighty percent of respondents expressed their support for the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have violated the law, while only twenty percent opposed it. Support was predominant among Republican voters (91%), but it also received broad approval among independents (79%) and Democrats (69%), indicating that the immigration issue generates cross-cutting consensus.
The study also revealed that 70% of participants believe that border security should be strengthened and policies should be implemented to deter illegal crossings, while 56% support using the U.S. military to prevent illegal immigration.
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