Washington, August 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US federal prosecutors have charged 293 people with immigration-related offences in Arizona during a week-long enforcement operation, including allegations of unlawful entry, re-entry after removal and migrant smuggling.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said the cases were filed during enforcement operations conducted between August 22 and August 28.
Of the total, 149 cases involved individuals accused of unlawfully re-entering the United States after previously being removed. Another 132 people were charged with illegal entry, while prosecutors filed 11 cases against 12 people accused of transporting or smuggling migrants into or within Arizona.
Among the cases highlighted by prosecutors was that of Jesus Antonio Madrigal, who was charged on August 24 with transporting a person allegedly present illegally in the US.
According to the criminal complaint, Border Patrol agents first spotted a Honda Accord travelling south on Federal Route 19 on August 21. The vehicle was later observed travelling north, prompting agents to attempt an immigration inspection.
Prosecutors said the driver allegedly failed to stop and reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while being pursued. Border Patrol agents subsequently deployed spike strips at a checkpoint on State Route 86, disabling the vehicle.
Madrigal was identified as the driver, while a passenger in the back seat was identified as a Mexican citizen allegedly present illegally in the US.
In another case, Jabari Kaleem Mims was charged on August 24 with transporting an allegedly undocumented person for profit. Prosecutors said Border Patrol camera operators observed a BMW near Border Road on August 22 and saw a person enter the vehicle.
The driver allegedly ran a stop sign, accelerated and failed to stop when agents attempted to pull him over. One passenger later fled into nearby brush but was apprehended and identified as a Mexican citizen allegedly present illegally in the US. Mims was subsequently taken into custody.
Federal prosecutors also charged Jose Manuel Arenas-Pinzon on August 23 with re-entry after removal. Authorities said he had previously been removed from the US on June 2, 2021, following an Arizona state conviction for transporting dangerous drugs for sale. He had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in that case.
The US Attorney’s Office stressed that the charges are allegations and must be established in court.
“All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the office said.
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