Salvadoran children rescued from Phoenix smuggling ring

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From the Website Secure The Border.org
May 16, 2010

The Arizona Republic, by Allison Hurtado
May 11, 2010

Federal agents rescued three children Tuesday morning from suspected human smugglers in Phoenix after their parents apparently had paid to have the children smuggled in the United States, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The parents of the children, who were from Salvador but were living in Washington, D.C., paid $13,000 to have their children smuggled into the United States last month, according to a statement by ICE.

After the children arrived in Phoenix in April, the smugglers refused to release them unless their parents paid an additional $6,500. Once the parents paid the extra $6,500, they were asked to produce another $7,000.

The parents became worried and contacted authorities on Monday.

By Tuesday morning, ICE investigators had found the children's location. The smugglers apparently dropped off the children at a local business in west Phoenix, and authorities picked them up.

The three children, ages 11 to 15, were scared but otherwise unharmed and appeared to be in good health, the statement said. Federal authorities didn't release any more details about why the children were dropped off at the business.

ICE was coordinating with its Office of Investigations and the Salvadoran Embassy in Washington, D.C., to reunite the children with their parents.

The investigation into those smugglers was continuing, but as agents searched for the children Monday night, they were led to a drophouse in Phoenix, said Vincent Picard, spokesman for ICE.

Sixteen immigrants were found inside the house on 71st Avenue. The immigrants came from many different countries and were all turned over to ICE.
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http://www.securetheborder.org/article/salvadoran-children-rescued-from-phoenix-smuggling-ring