BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A leader of the advocacy group Migrant Justice was arrested Thursday morning on charges related to human smuggling.
Jose Ignacio de la Cruz, 30, also known as Nacho, was taken into custody in Burlington.
Court records show he allegedly participated in a multi-year conspiracy to bring illegal immigrants into the U.S.
He is also accused of producing fraudulent identity documents, including a form of driver’s license.
De la Cruz was detained last summer at the border in Richford with his stepdaughter.
Federal authorities say he does not have legal immigration status in the U.S.
He will face a federal judge on Thursday afternoon.
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