El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino has been consistently drawing attention to asylum seekers who violate laws in the United States. Recently, Bovino used a social media platform to announce the arrest of three Chinese nationals found with fraudulent identification, merchandise and more than 20 gift cards.
"Indio BP agents discovered thousands of gift cards, merchandise & 23 fake #Pennsylvania drivers licenses during a checkpoint inspection. 3 of the 5 #Chinese nationals arrested were #AsylumSeekers awaiting their hearings. They were caught exploiting our nation's hospitality," said Bovino, according to X.
Earlier this month, Bovino revealed via social media that a Mexican national, who had applied for asylum in 2018, was arrested on charges of human smuggling. "Being processed for any type of immigration relief or privilege doesn’t ever mean it's ok to break the law," Bovino said. "I’m eternally perplexed when I see an individual take advantage of our nation’s good will only to turn around and smuggle for money."
This news follows the recent arrest of a Mexican national, who had privileges under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but was also charged with human smuggling. "DACA privileges are contingent upon maintaining lawful conduct. This former DACA recipient no longer has those privileges & was deported back to Mexico," Bovino stated.
According to a Customs and Border Protection news release, Border Patrol agents in El Centro Sector have grown accustomed to arresting Mexican nationals with prior criminal records. In August, they apprehended a Mexican man with a previous sexual offense conviction after observing him entering the U.S., approximately three miles east of the Calexico West Port of Entry. The 23-year-old man was caught while attempting to hide in a field and was later discovered to have a prior conviction for a sexual offense.
Bovino commended his team's efforts saying, "Patrolling the border to apprehend sexual predators and other violators, our agents are national treasures." He added, "I am amazed at the perseverance of our agents who strive to make America safer day in and day out. Hats off to them, good job."
