In the United States, smuggling or harboring an illegal immigrant is a criminal offense with steep repercussions. In some cases, these activities are closely tied to other illegal enterprises like human or drug trafficking, but in other cases, these actions are taken by people who are trying to help family members or people they care about. However, alien smuggling and harboring are both illegal and are subject to the same consequences despite the motivation.
A Glendale federal crimes lawyer can guide you if you are facing charges for transporting immigrants, including loved ones. At Suzuki Law Offices, our team works hard to protect your rights and develop effective strategies to combat the state or federal charges you may be facing. Choosing to work with an experienced Glendale criminal defense lawyer can be pivotal to the outcome of your case.
Alien Smuggling and Harboring
Alien smuggling occurs when someone knowingly brings, arranges, transports, or encourages an immigrant to come into the United States outside of established legal processes. Harboring involves hiding or supporting an immigrant with the knowledge that they are illegally residing in the United States. Whether the intent is to exploit or help, both acts are considered to be illegal and are punishable offenses.
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Get StartedRisks and Impacts of Smuggling Aliens
When human smuggling occurs, it impacts both illegal aliens and communities by introducing risks and jeopardizing lives. Smuggling can lead to human trafficking, organized crime, and exploitation of people groups, which can lead to breakdowns in security and safety. Smuggling can also result in the spread of illness, expensive financial costs associated with smuggling, and place undue stress on economies and healthcare systems by taxing available resources.
Lawyer Near Me 602-682-5270Laws Prohibiting Smuggling and Harboring
The federal government has strict laws in place to prevent and deter alien smuggling and harboring in the United States. Under federal law 8 USC 1324, it outlines that knowingly and recklessly bringing in, transporting, harboring, conspiring, or aiding and abetting a non-U.S. citizen is illegal and can be punished by fines, jail time, and even death in some cases. Additionally, knowingly hiring at least 10 people within a year who are not authorized to be in the United States is also subject to fines and/or jail time.
In addition to federal law, Arizona Statute 13-2929 makes it illegal to transport, hide, or encourage anyone to enter the state whom a person knows is not an American citizen. Any vehicles found to be used in the transportation of illegal immigrants will be detained and impounded. Any breach of this statute results in a class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $1,000 or is a class 6 felony with a minimum fine of $1,000 per alien if 10 or more illegal aliens are involved.
Because of the seriousness of these charges, an alien smuggling & harboring defense lawyer in Glendale can be an invaluable part of your defense. They will protect your rights, provide counsel, and advise against talking to law enforcement without legal representation. A lawyer will navigate any state or federal charges you may face and work to help ensure the best outcome possible for you.
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Legal Process for Alien Smuggling and Harboring
Federal law outlines the legal process that must be followed concerning alien smuggling and harboring. Upon discovering an occurrence of alien smuggling, any vehicle used in transportation may be seized and forfeited. Seizures and any subsequent arrests may only be made by officers and parties allowed by the Attorney General.
When investigating an act of alien smuggling and harboring, various items are used to establish and determine the nature of the violation that occurred. Any testimony by an immigration officer or records of an official, judicial, or administrative nature may be used as evidence if the documentation shows a lack of authorization for the alien to be admitted into the country. Additionally, in certain circumstances, witness testimony may be videotaped and used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Sentencing for Smuggling and Harboring Cases
The penalties for transporting illegal aliens and harboring them can vary from fines to extensive prison time. To help reduce the amount of time, you could spend in prison, you should hire a Glendale alien smuggling & harboring defense attorney to advocate for you. Some common sentencing terms you could face include:
- Life in prison for smuggling activities that led to the death of an alien
- 20 years for smuggling activities that resulted in injury or a death risk
- 10 years for attempting, bringing, harboring, or transporting immigrants into the U.S. or doing so for profit
- 5 years for attempting, bringing, harboring, or transporting immigrants into the U.S. or doing so not for profit
In some situations, additional time can be added to an offender’s sentence. Per federal law, a sentence can be increased by up to 10 years if the smuggling occurred as a commercial enterprise, posed a life-threatening health risk, involved transporting groups of 10 or more illegal aliens, or transported them in a manner that posed a risk to their lives. To better understand your particular situation, your Glendale alien smuggling & harboring defense lawyer will walk you through the details of your case and the options available to you.
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Experienced Lawyers Can Represent You
Suzuki Law Offices will protect your rights when you need an alien smuggling & harboring defense attorney in Glendale. Richard Suzuki was a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and has extensive knowledge and experience to defend you. He provides his insider expertise to build a strong defense for your case, as well as advocate and negotiate on your behalf.
It can be complicated and bewildering to face criminal charges for alien smuggling and harboring, but having a lawyer on your side can make a big difference. We fight for you using individualized solutions to tailor your defense strategy to you. Reach out to our team today for a free consultation, and rest easy knowing that you will be in good hands moving forward.
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