The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 134 individuals in Arizona last week with immigration-related offenses, marking the second week in a row the state has seen more than 130 similar prosecutions.
According to a DOJ press release, 66 of the cases involve illegal immigrants reentering the U.S. after deportation—an offense that carries up to two years in prison and a financial penalty.
Another 57 individuals face charges for unlawful entry, a misdemeanor that can result in up to six months in prison and a civil fine.
In addition, 11 people were charged with human smuggling, a felony with an average sentence of 15 months, based on data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Among the more serious cases:
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Felipe Osuna Hernandez, a Mexican national, is accused of smuggling two undocumented immigrants into the U.S. for profit, placing their lives in danger. He allegedly acted as a guide, leading them through the desert without adequate food or water. When one of the individuals needed medical help, Hernandez reportedly ignored the request and confiscated their phones. One of the immigrants later died in the desert.
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Luis Enrique Beltran-Ceballos, another Mexican national, is facing charges of improper entry and alien smuggling after allegedly helping a 12-year-old girl cross into the U.S. illegally. Authorities say he had never met the girl prior and used a ladder to scale the border. He then attempted to hide with her in a canal to evade detection. Investigators believe he expected payment for the smuggling.
These arrests are part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative aimed at using the DOJ’s full resources to combat illegal immigration, dismantle drug cartels, and enhance community safety. The operation involves multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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