ICE reveals findings for "Family Fraud Initiative" in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations division and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol launched an initiative in April 2019 called the Family Fraud Initiative in El Paso.

The initiative identifies individuals who say they are families when seeking asylum.

Since the initiative began, investigators found:

• 238 fraudulent families identified
• 329 false documents seized that were used to support fraudulent claims
• More than 350 individuals federally prosecuted for various crimes, including human smuggling, making false statements, conspiracy, and illegal re-entry after removal
• 50 individuals identified who have fraudulently claimed to be unaccompanied minors

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HSI and U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso have transferred 19 children to the Department of Health and Human Services, saying there was potential to rescue children from dangerous situations.