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Trafficking in Person Report 2005
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23 November 2005
Dominican Nationals Sent to U.S. Prison for Human Smuggling, November 22, 2005 (Smuggling operation led to deaths of seven illegal aliens, agency says)
By Eric Green
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- A U.S. federal judge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has handed down prison terms to five natives of the Dominican Republic after they were convicted for human smuggling.
In a November 22 statement, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said the five Dominicans were indicted in December 2004 following an investigation that indicated the men were responsible for a smuggling scheme involving 93 illegal aliens seeking to reach the north coast of Puerto Rico.
ICE, the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said the 93 illegal aliens were boarded on an overcrowded, fragile vessel that departed from the Dominican Republic in December 2004. The boat, which was piloted by the convicted Dominicans, capsized. That accident resulted in the deaths of seven passengers on board. U.S. authorities rescued the other passengers.
ICE said that Leonardo Hilario-Hilario, sentenced to 17 years in prison, played a leadership role in the smuggling venture by coordinating via cellular telephone with contacts in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and giving instructions to other boat captains.
Also sent to prison were Delgadino Peguero and Kennedi Martinez, each given a sentence of 15 years and eight months, Fernando Jose Millan, given 14 years and eight months, and Santiago Rodriguez and Leonardo Hilario-Hilario, given 10 years and 17 years respectively.
Lydia St. John-Mellado, acting special agent-in-charge of ICE in Puerto Rico, said the "conviction and sentencing of these five human smugglers should send a strong message to those engaged in the illicit business of human smuggling. We are determined to stop these unscrupulous smugglers who have no regard for the loss of human life. We encourage people who want to come to the United States to use legal means and not to risk their lives by dealing with criminals."
Since October 1, 2004, 2,622 people attempting to reach the United States illegally from the Dominican Republic have been intercepted crossing the Mona Passage.
ICE said the Dominican Republic historically has been a major departure point for illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States. Thousands of illegal aliens have taken to sea in a variety of vessels, the most common being a homemade fishing vessel known as a yola. The Mona Passage, the body of water between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, is known for unpredictable currents and rough seas.
ICE said disrupting and dismantling human smuggling and trafficking rings is one of its top priorities because of the potential threat that these organizations pose to U.S. national security and public safety.
The U.S. State Department defines human smuggling as the "facilitation, transportation, attempted transportation or illegal entry of a person across an international border, in violation of one or more countries' laws, either clandestinely or through deception, such as the use of fraudulent documents." (See related article.)
For additional information, see the 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report, released June 3 by the U.S Department of State.
