Guatemalan National Indicted for Alleged Role in Smuggling 14-Year-Old Girl into the U.S.

A Guatemalan national residing in the U.S. illegally has been indicted for his alleged involvement in smuggling a 14-year-old girl into the country. JUAN TIUL XI, 26, was formally charged on Thursday for allegedly coercing the minor into illegally entering the U.S., according to a statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ). TIUL XI is also accused of submitting a fraudulent sponsorship application to gain custody of the teenager.

The indictment highlights the ongoing challenges of human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable children. Former Florida Attorney General PAM BONDI emphasized the role of prior border policies in creating an environment that enabled such crimes. “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 stated.

TIUL XI allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 under the Biden administration. The DOJ claims that after his illegal entry, he encouraged the teenager to falsely claim she was his sister. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) reportedly relied on these false statements to release the minor into his custody on September 5, 2023.

The DOJ has charged TIUL XI with one count of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, one count of making a false statement, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for encouraging illegal entry, up to 5 years for the false statement, and an additional 2 years for identity theft.

“This case is a testament to ICE’s commitment to hold predators accountable for the harm they inflict on children,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director TODD LYONS.

ANGIE M. SALAZAR, Acting Director of ORR, noted that the office has significantly enhanced its sponsor vetting process to prioritize child safety. “We hope that our commitment is evident by our collaboration with law enforcement to right previous wrongs and help bring these crimes to light,” SALAZAR stated in the DOJ press release.

This case is part of the DOJ’s Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at addressing the threats and risks that the American people elected President Trump to combat.

**Sources:**
[Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov)
[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement](https://www.ice.gov)
[Office of Refugee Resettlement](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr)