Federal prosecutors said they have busted a lucrative and massive migrant smuggling ring that brought thousands of Cubans to the U.S. while instructing them how to deceive border guards to get in and fake asylum claims to win more permanent status.
It started out small but grew to become a multimillion-dollar operation, collecting at least $18 million over the 4 1/2 years it was in operation. It charged $1,500 to $40,000 to help unauthorized migrants burrow into America.
The outfit even chartered planes to move migrants around, with financial records showing it spent $2.5 million on flights alone from January 2021 to June 2025, the Justice Department said.
Twelve people were charged by indictment, three of them living here illegally. Two are listed as currently in Cuba.
“This criminal organization operated a front for fake asylum claims, churning out frivolous applications around the country,” said Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The outfit advertised on social media with what authorities called “flashy” ads and videos of migrants being smuggled.
Migrants were told how to pose as Europeans so they could enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.
The outfit also maintained an arm it advertised as helping with legal immigration services. Asesoria Y Servicios Migratorios LLC said it could help people procure work permits or file for asylum.
But the asylum applications were “boilerplate” and contained false narratives and histories for why asylum was justified, the prosecutors charged.
The indictment said thousands of fraudulent asylum applications were produced.
Almost all members of the ring were charged with conspiracy to smuggle aliens. Five were charged with conspiracy to commit asylum fraud. Eight of the 12 were also charged with money laundering.
“This indictment exposes a criminal organization that smuggled people into the United States on a massive scale, and then fraudulently secured immigration benefits for them,” said acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti.
The department did not say what, if anything, will happen to the migrants who benefited from the operation.
The Washington Times has reached out to USCIS for this story.
Authorities said the smuggling operation used payment apps like Zelle to charge clients and move money. Investigators have identified 27 accounts associated with the outfit, showing at least $18 million in revenue.
The case is being prosecuted in Tampa, Florida.
“This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever before,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people — including many unaccompanied children — face severe, comprehensive justice.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.