What is the Alien Smuggling
In immigration law, human trafficking is an illegal practice involving the clandestine entry of a foreigner into a country. This may also include the housing and transportation of the individual being trafficked. This illicit activity exploits the vulnerability of migrants and aims to profit from their precarious situation. That’s why legislation prohibits such practices and provides severe penalties for offenders.
Under the law, anyone involved directly or indirectly in human trafficking faces severe sanctions. In this context, convictions can vary from one country to another and depending on the degree of involvement of the accused. If the defendant is a non-citizen, authorities may expedite their deportation. For serious cases, convicted individuals risk imprisonment for more than 10 years. If trafficking involves serious injuries or death of migrants, a life sentence may be imposed.
In the United States, human trafficking is a very serious federal offense. Title 8 of the Code 13243 outlines in detail all situations of illegal entry and housing sanctioned by federal law. It also specifies the criminal penalties assigned for each degree of violation.
Etymology of Alien Smuggling
The term “alien” comes from the Latin “alienus,” which can be interpreted as “belonging to another,” while “smuggling” comes from the Old English word “smugan,” meaning “to convey secretly.” The combination of these two terms in law refers to the crime of secretly importing or exporting foreigners, an offense penalized by law.