The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the indictment of a Guatemalan national, identified as Tiul Xi, for his alleged involvement in smuggling a 14-year-old girl across the United States border and subsequently lying to authorities to gain custody of her. This case has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the U.S. border enforcement and the exploitation of minors.
In the statement released by the DOJ, Attorney General Pam Bondi underscored the gravity of the situation, attributing the incident to the "chaos created by weak border enforcement." Bondi, who was appointed by President Trump during his return to office, has been vocal about her commitment to combating human trafficking and strengthening immigration enforcement. The case comes to light as the result of a broader federal operation, Operation Take Back America, initiated by the Trump administration to address issues of trafficking, drug smuggling, and exploitation of U.S. programs by foreign nationals.
Authorities report that Tiul Xi entered the U.S. illegally in 2023, taking advantage of what has been characterized by critics as "Biden's relaxed border rules." It was after this illicit entry that he allegedly coached the underage girl to claim she was his sister. On September 5, 2023, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) was deceived by his false sponsorship application and released the girl into his custody. This event has highlighted the vulnerabilities in the system and prompted a reassessment of the vetting process for sponsors.
The charges brought against Tiul Xi are severe, reflecting the federal government's stance on such crimes. He faces one count of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, which could result in up to ten years of imprisonment; one count of making a false statement, carrying a sentence of up to five years; and one count of aggravated identity theft, with a mandatory minimum of two years.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons emphasized the importance of the indictment, saying, "This case is a testament to ICE’s commitment to hold predators accountable for the harm they inflict on children." His statement reflects the broader perspective within the Trump administration and its supporters that stringent border policies are essential for national security.
In response to the incident, Angie M. Salazar, the acting director of ORR, acknowledged the shortcomings in the vetting process and indicated that steps have been taken to increase scrutiny of sponsors. Salazar also emphasized the office's dedication to correcting past mistakes through collaboration with law enforcement.
This indictment is expected to be just one component of a larger effort by law enforcement to address the influx of minors trafficked into the country and the exploitation of U.S. immigration policies. With more arrests anticipated, the DOJ's Operation Take Back America aims to reaffirm the government's commitment to law and order at the border.
