A Guatemalan national residing in the U.S. illegally has been indicted for his alleged role in smuggling a 14-year-old girl into the country. JUAN TIUL XI, 26, was charged on Thursday for allegedly coaxing the minor into illegally entering the U.S., according to a statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The indictment also accuses TIUL XI of submitting a fraudulent sponsorship application to gain custody of the teenager.
The DOJ revealed that TIUL XI entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 during the Biden administration. After his illegal entry, he reportedly encouraged the teen to falsely claim she was his sister. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) allegedly relied on these false statements to release the minor into his custody on September 5, 2023.
TIUL XI faces multiple charges, including one count of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, one count of making false statements, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for encouraging illegal entry, 5 years for the false statement, and an additional 2 years for identity theft.
PAM BONDI, Attorney General, criticized the previous administration’s border policies, stating that they created an environment conducive to human trafficking. “We are committed to protecting children from the scourge of human trafficking and will not rest until we deliver justice for those who suffered during the border crisis,” BONDI said.
TODD LYONS, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), emphasized the agency’s dedication to holding predators accountable. “This case is a testament to ICE’s commitment to protect vulnerable children from harm,” LYONS remarked.
ANGIE M. SALAZAR, Acting Director of ORR, highlighted improvements in the sponsor vetting process. “We have significantly increased our vetting procedures to prioritize the well-being of children,” SALAZAR stated. “Our collaboration with law enforcement underscores our commitment to addressing past failures and bringing these crimes to light.”
The case is part of the DOJ’s **Operation Take Back America**, an initiative aimed at combating ongoing threats to national security. The DOJ stated that these efforts align with the priorities set by former President Trump to address critical risks to the American people.
For more details, visit [DOJ’s official statement](https://www.justice.gov).