Two women are facing charges after being apprehended at a California immigration checkpoint following the discovery that they were allegedly attempting to transport two young girls into the United States.
The arrests occurred Tuesday by agents of the El Centro Border Patrol Sector at a checkpoint along Highway 86 near Westmorland. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the incident in a statement released Thursday.
According to authorities, one woman was operating the vehicle while another occupied the passenger seat. Two young girls, aged 10 and 12, were found asleep in the rear of the car. The identities of the women have not been disclosed.
Initially, the driver claimed they were traveling from Arizona to California. However, she later admitted that their journey originated from Mexico through the San Luis Port of Entry. This inconsistency raised suspicion and prompted a secondary inspection by an agent from the Indio Station.
During this inspection, it became apparent that the photographs and names listed on the children’s identification documents did not match their actual appearances. Further questioning revealed that the girls had no familial relationship with either woman and that the driver was unaware of the children’s mother.
The young girls have been identified as unaccompanied minors from Mexico, according to CBP.
Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino of the El Centro Sector emphasized the severity of the situation, stating:
“It’s almost unbearable to think about what heinous crimes await children who aren’t with their parents.”
He continued, highlighting a concerning trend: “This incident is how the trafficking of children starts. The border environment has been rife with this type of activity over the past several years, however, the focus has now shifted, and heavy sentences await smugglers who hurt kids.”
Both women have been charged with alien smuggling. Their vehicle has been impounded as evidence.
