EL PASO, Texas — U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations agents dismantled a stash house in El Paso and arrested 12 illegal immigrants — 10 from Mexico and two from Guatemala — in an operation stemming from a prior smuggling investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced.
Agents acting on intelligence from the earlier probe located the stash house at 10:30 a.m. on May 27 and found 11 illegal immigrant adults and one unaccompanied child inside. All were arrested and transported to the Ysleta Border Patrol Station for further investigation.
“Our El Paso Sector Border Patrol Human Smuggling Disrupt Units and our Homeland Security Investigations partners are doing great work in dismantling criminal smuggling organizations in our region,” said U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jessie Munoz. “These law enforcement partnerships and operations help make our El Paso area one of the safest communities in the nation.”
The 11 adults were charged for violations of Title 8 of the U.S. Code, which governs immigration and nationality. The one unaccompanied minor was administratively processed. All were transported to the Processing Transport Detention Unit. CBP said the overall investigation is still ongoing.
“Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to protecting our communities by dismantling criminal organizations involved in human smuggling,” said HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Ryan McRae. “This operation, in partnership with U.S. Border Patrol, reflects our mission to safeguard the homeland and uphold the integrity of our immigration system. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of El Paso and beyond.”
CBP said the operation was carried out under President Donald Trump’s border-security mandate and the leadership of DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The agency encouraged residents to report suspicious activity anonymously by calling 1-800-635-2509.