El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino has expressed concern over asylum seekers resorting to criminal activities, as stated in his social media post. He highlighted the case of two Romanian nationals, who were on a visa and an asylum claim, apprehended for possession of burglary tools and stolen gift cards.
"Earlier this week, two Romanian nationals, one on a J1 Visa and the other awaiting a court hearing related to an asylum claim, were arrested in a vehicle stop. Agents found 101 gift cards with stolen data, burglary tools, & skimming devices in their car," said Bovino, according to X.
Bovino previously reported the arrest of three Chinese nationals found with counterfeit merchandise and gift cards. "Three of the five Chinese nationals arrested were asylum seekers awaiting their hearings. They were caught exploiting our nation’s hospitality," Bovino wrote.
In another instance earlier this month, Bovino shared news about a Mexican national, an asylum applicant since 2018, being detained for 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. He added, "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 a similar incident involving a Mexican national with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) privileges being arrested for human smuggling. According to Bovino, "DACA privileges are contingent upon maintaining lawful conduct. This former DACA recipient no longer has those privileges & was deported back to Mexico."
Border Patrol agents in El Centro Sector have also encountered Mexican nationals with prior criminal records attempting illegal entry into the U.S. In August, a Mexican man with a previous sexual offense conviction was arrested by Border Patrol agents near the Calexico West Port of Entry, as per a Customs and Border Protection news release. The 23-year-old man was apprehended while trying to hide in a field; he was later identified as having a prior conviction for a sexual offense.
