A federal judge in Vermont sentenced Luis Fernando Barragan-Palacios, 29, to 18 months in prison for smuggling nearly 100 migrants across the Canadian border into the United States. Barragan-Palacios, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, earned approximately $500,000 from the human smuggling operation over a five-month period. He is expected to be deported upon completing his sentence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New York reported that Barragan-Palacios organized and executed around 30 smuggling trips between August 2023 and January 2024. He transported migrants from the border near Richford, Vermont, to the New York City area. His activities came to an end when Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended him during a high-speed pursuit on icy roads.
Agents attempted to stop Barragan-Palacios while he was driving a rented pickup truck near the Canadian border, but he fled, reaching speeds of 85 mph. Despite dangerous road conditions, he continued evading law enforcement. When stopped, agents discovered six migrants lying unsecured in the truck bed and cab.
Barragan-Palacios pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring with others to transport migrants who had crossed the Canadian border illegally. His smuggling operation took advantage of the rural and less-monitored terrain of the northern border, a growing concern for federal authorities.
Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia confirmed Barragan-Palacios’ arrest and credited the Richford Station agents for their role in apprehending him. He noted the increasing challenges posed by human smuggling operations in the region, which exploit vulnerabilities at the U.S.-Canada border.
This case underscores the dangers of human smuggling, including unsafe transportation conditions and the exploitation of migrants. While most attention focuses on the southern border, illegal crossings in northern states like Vermont are on the rise, driven by organized smuggling networks. Federal officials emphasize the importance of vigilance and stronger enforcement measures to address these challenges.
