Miami is a hotbed of activity for bringing in and harboring non-citizens into the United States. Alien smuggling is a federal crime that is prosecuted vigorously by the U.S. Attorney’s office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal government is particularly interested in cases where women are brought over under the pretenses of gaining employment in the U.S., only to find themselves as sex workers, prostitutes, or indentured servants. The emphasis of the prosecution is on the person who assisted in smuggling (captain of the boat or private plane), the person who provides shelter (pimp or house mother), or the individual that is holding the travel documents of the smuggled workers.
But in Miami and the Border States in the South, there is another very common alien smuggling operation: illegal entry of alien immigrants from Cuba or Central America into the U.S. by experienced guides who avoid detecting by ICE. These individuals are called “Coyotes” and are often the target of law enforcement. When we think of these operations we think of farmworkers or construction workers being brought illegally into the U.S. But there are also much more sophisticated operations involving the smuggling of high profile athletes in Cuba, artists, and political dissidents. Often times the person smuggled in is not even charged. They are allowed to remain in the U.S. It’s the person who assisted in their illegal immigration and who allegedly profited from the transaction who ends up in prison.
What is Alien Smuggling?
Title 8, United States Code § 1324(a)(1)(A)(i) defines Alien Smuggling as:
Any person who — knowing that a person is an alien, to bring to or attempts to bring to the United States in any manner whatsoever such person at a place other than a designated port of entry or place other than as designated by the
Commissioner, regardless of whether such alien has received prior official authorization to come to, enter, or reside in the United States and regardless of any future official action which may be taken with respect to such alien.
The basic premise of this statute is that a person accused of alien smuggling must have known the individual was an illegal alien or after knowing, continues to conceal, transport, or assist this individual remain in the U.S. or evade capture from authorities.
Depending on the statutory subsection of which the individual is indicted, that person could be facing a maximum of 5 years or 10 years per count.
What is Alien Smuggling?
People who were active participants in the transportation and entry into the U.S. of individuals who did not come through a port of entry under the appropriate immigration laws can be charged with the crime of alien smuggling. Additionally, individuals who became aware after the fact that an individual was illegally smuggled into the
country can be charged under this subsection if they transport, aide, or try to conceal the individual in question. Unfortunately, that is a very broad definition. It could be the captain of a large vessel coming from the Bahamas with passengers that he or she didn’t know were being smuggled. It could be the pilot of a private plane who is also clueless as to who the passengers on the plane are. It could be someone leading a group of migrants through the treacherous Arizona deserts. It could be a trucker who becomes aware that an individual was illegally smuggled into the country and transport that person from state to state or conceals them in their cab on the highway.
What is Alien Smuggling?
Trust us to fight these charges and contact Attorney Brian Kirlew, Esq. immediately. The big issue in these cases is the element of knowledge.
Our Areas of Specialty
The fact is, there’s always something going on in a thriving metropolis like Miami. That means it’s easier than you might imagine to find yourself facing criminal charges. Given the dynamic nature of our city, it only makes sense for Brian Kirlew and his defense team to be flexible and responsive to the needs of his clients.
Our firm represents clients charged with any and all types of offenses in Miami and the greater South Florida area. The skills of an intelligent and experienced Miami criminal defense lawyer translate to all areas of criminal law. Therefore, we do not like to be bound by one or two particular areas as our “specialty.” We find defending against a broad spectrum of crimes to be more interesting and enjoyable to our practice.
Brian Kirlew, Esq. is experienced in defending all kinds of criminal felony and misdemeanor charges in the greater Miami area, including:
- Alien Smuggling
- Appeals/Post Conviction Motions
- Assault and Battery
- Burglary
- Child Pornography
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Crimes (Possession, Sale, Trafficking)
- Conspiracy
- Bond/Release
- Arson
- DUI/BUI Defense
- Embezzlement
- Extradition
- Federal Grand Jury Investigations
- Firearm Offenses
- Forfeitures
- Fraud
- Internet Crimes
- Juvenile Charges
- Kidnapping or False Imprisonment
- Mail/Wire/Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Medical Marijuana
- Murder and other Homicide offenses (Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, Manslaughter)
- Nebbia requirements
- Probation Violations
- Federal/State RICO
- Robbery
- Sealing and Expungement
- Sexual Offenses
- Subpoenas (responding to or issuance of)
- Tax Evasion
- Theft
- Warrants
- Violations of Injunctions/Protective Orders
- White Collar
Don’t Wait Another Minute. Get Your Free Phone Consultation Now.
When you’re facing criminal charges in Miami, time is of the essence. It’s important that you have the proper legal representation to ensure that you get the best outcome possible from your trial. At the Kirlew Law Firm, you, your family, and your business are what matter most to us. We want to ensure that you enjoy every advantage that our thorough and collaborative approach to criminal defense has to offer.
Brian Kirlew is here to represent you. You can schedule your free phone consultation with our criminal defense lawyers today to begin building a sound defense strategy.