Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has called for the death penalty against two Mexican nationals charged in a fatal incident near San Diego.
The incident, which occurred on May 5, involved a panga-style boat carrying migrants that capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and leaving several others missing.
“Yesterday, off the coast of southern California, a panga-style boat capsized that was operated by Mexican nationals attempting to smuggle 14 aliens into the U.S.,” Noem stated on Wednesday.
“Tragically, three people were killed and seven are still missing.”
She emphasized the avoidable nature of the deaths, attributing them to the “greed and indifference of smugglers who exploited them.”
Noem labeled maritime smuggling as “a violent and inherently dangerous crime,” asserting that those who endanger human lives in such endeavors must face full accountability.
Noem also announced her intention to formally request that the Attorney General pursue the death penalty under the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Federal Death Penalty Act.
“I will be formally requesting that the Attorney General ensure that these two suspected smugglers are swiftly prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she declared.
“I will also be urging the Attorney General to seek the death penalty in this case.” Noem affirmed DHS’s commitment to not tolerating “this level of criminal depravity or reckless disregard for human life.”
Details of the Incident
The capsized boat, discovered near Torrey Pines State Beach, was carrying at least 16 individuals, including minors, according to information provided by the survivors.
Among the deceased was a 14-year-old boy from India, with his 10-year-old sister still missing and presumed dead.
Their parents were rescued; the father is in a coma, and the mother remains hospitalized.
Two Mexican nationals, Julio Cesar Zuniga Luna and Jesus Juan Rodriguez Leyva, were arrested at the scene and charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain.
Three others—Melissa Jenelle Cota, Gustavo Lara, and Sergio Rojas-Fregosa—were later apprehended and charged with transportation of illegal aliens.
