New operation against illegal immigration to US launched in Brazil

The Federal Police of the central-west state of Goiás has launched today (Feb 10) Operation Coyote, aimed at dismantling a criminal organization in Brazil and the US which facilitates the illegal immigration of Brazilian nationals. Nearly 200 agents have been exercising 54 court warrants, including five search orders and six preventive arrests.

The operation currently takes place simultaneously in five Brazilian states: Goiás, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Rondônia.

According to the Federal Police, gang members were acting as middlemen in the process of having US visas issued through counterfeit documents.

Among the documents were bank statements, fake paychecks, non-existing labor contracts, false reports from the Secretariat of the Federal Revenue and assets declarations, and other papers establishing fraudulent connections with universities, and even the Brazilian Army.

The visas issued from false documentation would only be presented in the US. In order to reach the North American country, immigrants-to-be would purchase the services of men referred to as “coyotes”, who carried out illicit activities on the Mexico-US border.

According to the police, the coyotes offered Brazilians help of two kinds. In the costlier option,  candidates would reach the US by bus, car, or airplane, and would be charged $10.690 thousand. In the cheaper alternative, people would go on a four-night walk into the country—which cost $5.340 thousand.

Individuals in the US targeted by the operation have been included on Interpol's wanted list, the Federal Police announced.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira