'Dreamers' arrested in unrelated cases involving human smuggling, violence against family

Two “Dreamers” were arrested by federal law enforcement officers in unrelated incidents last week in connection with human smuggling and violent crimes.

U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations Task Force members arrested a man Wednesday after it was discovered that he allegedly violated the terms of relief provided under the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program by committing aggravated felonies in El Paso County, Border Patrol officials said.

He had originally applied for and received DACA protection in 2012, officials said. However, the man later committed assault causing serious bodily injury to a family member, driving while intoxicated and burglary of habitation. He was convicted on all crimes and eventually was released on probation.

The man, whose name was not released, had been sentenced to 10 years in prison on various charges, but a portion of his sentence was suspended, officials said.

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Another Dreamer was arrested in an unrelated incident March 19 after agents found him driving a vehicle near Rodeo, N.M., in “an area frequently utilized for human smuggling,” officials said.

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Agents conducted an immigration stop “due to the suspicious nature of the vehicle,” officials said.

During the investigation, agents found three passengers who admitted to illegally entering the U.S., officials said.

The driver, whose name was not released, also admitted to agents that he knew the passengers were migrants illegally smuggled into the U.S., officials said. He allegedly told agents that he was being paid to transport the migrants.

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As agents detained the man, further investigation revealed he was a Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program recipient. As part of the program, he was eligible to remain in the U.S. until Sept. 7, 2019, officials said.

The man was arrested in connection with the smuggling charge. Officials said due to the nature of the crime, the man may no longer be eligible to maintain his protected status.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.