This is a serious crime and usually you're going to see this thing prosecuted at the federal level under 8 U.S. Code § 1324. The state doesn't usually have an opportunity to get involved in something like this. So, if you or a loved one is charged with alien smuggling, you're going to want to get an attorney who has been down this road before and can help you because you have immigration issues there. Obviously, it's one thing being deported; it's another thing serving out a long federal prison sentence and then getting deported. So, these alien smuggling charges are serious.
Interestingly enough, I had my own experience with it when I bought a new car and I still had a lease and I let one of my friends have the car. He made the payments on it. He gives it to one of his girlfriends and she smuggles a couple of illegals in suitcases in the trunk of my car. What was unbelievable is somehow she didn't get arrested, but they seized my car and were looking to forfeit it. That's how serious these laws are. They take vehicles that are involved and nowadays with the way immigration laws are, if somebody is smuggling aliens, they're looking at some hard time in federal prison. These guys aren't messing around and there are harsh legal consequences.
I see the laws getting more and more tough on alien smuggling across the country. So, if you or a loved on is charged with alien smuggling, you better get a good attorney and quick and figure out a way to get this thing resolved. One thing is, if they really don't have the evidence against you, you can certainly fight the case and try to be found not guilty and show that the elements of alien smuggling haven't been met.
Retain an Experienced Defense Lawyer
If on the other hand, they've got the goods on you, you're definitely going to want to get somebody like me who has been doing this for twenty-five years and can start making some moves for you now and get you out of your predicament as quick as possible.
Alien smuggling really has to do with people — whether they're inside of the United States or even outside of the United States — bringing aliens — those individuals who are not citizens — into the country, either by way of smuggling them in in a vehicle or sometimes people can even be caught for smuggling by getting them in by either going under or over one of the barriers at the border or figuring out a way to get around one of those barriers.
I think this crime is going to become more and more prevalent as the United States tightens up its borders and really makes some moves here to value what it is to be a citizen here — to value what it is to come into this country legally, and part of that is going to be coming down hard on those individuals who are smuggling aliens into the United States.
So, if you've got a situation like that, pick up the phone. Make the call. We'll do everything we can to protect your rights, your freedom, your liberty and you do have those things even if you're not a citizen, you do have certain rights. You are entitled to a defense and you definitely want to make sure you mount one if you're charged with the very serious crime of alien smuggling anywhere in the United States.
