SAN ANTONIO — A woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison after acting as a legal advocate to smuggle migrants, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Kimberly Cruz, 35, took part in a scheme by misrepresenting herself as a legal advocate in order to smuggle migrants into the country between April and October 2019, court documents say.
Cruz is said to have convinced a few migrants and their families that she was a lawyer, and gathered birth certificates, voter identification cards, passports, and more documents from the migrants.
“This defendant falsely represented herself in order to take advantage of our country’s immigration procedures while putting at risk the lives of more than 95 migrants,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I am grateful for the diligent efforts of Homeland Security Investigations in uncovering Cruz’s extensive criminal conduct, and I assure you that my office stands ready to work with all our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who attempt to circumvent the law.”
Cruz was paid a total of $275,911 for her services, court documents say. Cruz then used those documents to misrepresent herself to Border Control officers in Eagle Pass and gain entry for the migrants as humanitarian parolees, according to the Feds. The migrants were permitted to enter the U.S. for 24 to 48 hours to attend U.S. Customs and Immigration Services appointments. The migrants were taken to San Antonio to be reunited with families or dropped off at bus stations and the airport.
Cruz was arrested Oct. 29, 2019 and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud Oct. 25, 2021, according to a press release. Chief Judge Alia Moses ordered Cruz to pay $9,900 in restitution and a forfeiture of more than $271,000, in addition to the prison sentence.
“The message is clear — have no doubt. Individuals who impersonate a legal advocate to exploit others for their own personal gain, will be held accountable for their crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “HSI is committed to bringing to justice human smugglers that prey on the vulnerable with no regard for the well-being of the people they smuggle.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security.
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