Smuggling of children remains a problem

Four Phoenix residents detained at the border in the past month have highlighted a persistent problem: child smuggling.

Customs and Border Protection officers detained Manuela Para-Herrera, 62, and Malissa Marie Gonzales, 22, on July 4 as they attempted to cross through the Douglas checkpoint with two children but presented birth certificates that belonged to other children, officials said. The children were reunited with family members, and the women began federal-court proceedings.

Five days earlier, officers detained a couple, ages 22 and 21, as they attempted to smuggle two young girls through the same checkpoint. The couple, who claimed they were smuggling the children "for financial gain," were detained and released. In both cases, officers detected the fraud by inspecting documents, questioning witnesses and when possible, talking to the children.

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Posted By Phoenix Accident Injury Attorneys