FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday that two Guatemalan nationals have pleaded guilty of their roles in a massive human smuggling operation that resulted in a catastrophic 2021 tractor-trailer crash in Mexico, which killed 56 people — including children — and injured more than 100 others.Josefa Quino Canil De Zavala and Alberto Marcario Chitic entered guilty pleas for conspiring to bring illegal immigrants into the United States, placing lives in jeopardy and resulting in death, according to DHS officials.The two smugglers were among five Guatemalan nationals extradited to the United States in 2025 to face charges, while a sixth alleged co-conspirator was arrested in Texas.SIX HUMAN SMUGGLERS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO 2021 CRASH THAT KILLED DOZENSThe pair were seen in a photo being arrested by Homeland Security Investigations agents.(Obtained by Fox News Digital)Federal officials pointed to the crash as a tragic consequence of previous open border policies. "This is yet another example of how Biden’s open borders created a humanitarian crisis that allowed smugglers to profit off the deaths of illegal aliens," DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
"Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of ICE, these criminal aliens have pleaded guilty, and they will soon face justice."According to prosecutors, the Dec.9, 2021, crash involved a highly organized, profit-driven network that treated human beings "like a supply chain."FEDS BUST MASSIVE ALLEGED GUATEMALAN HUMAN SMUGGLING RING OPERATING OUT OF CALIFORNIAJosefa Quino Canil De Zavala pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring and attempt to bring an illegal immigrant into the U.S., placing life in jeopardy, and causing serious bodily injury resulting in death, according to DHS officials.
(Obtained by Fox News Digital)The smugglers recruited migrants in Guatemala, collected their money, and packed them into cattle trucks and tr...