Woman Pleads Guilty in Human Smuggling Trip in Which 16 Drowned
A Devastating Incident in the Caribbean
A woman who helped arrange a 2022 human smuggling trip from Cuba to Florida that ended in the deaths of 16 people pleaded guilty to federal charges that carry up to life in prison, prosecutors said Friday.
The Charges
Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26, who is in the U.S. without authorization, pleaded guilty Tuesday to “conspiring to smuggle aliens into the United States,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami said in a statement.
The Scheme
Dominguez-Nieves collected the money from the migrants’ family members in the U.S., at least $11,500 in all, and sent that to her boyfriend in Cuba who put the migrants on a boat, she admitted as part of a plea deal.
The Tragic Consequences
The small fishing boat left Playa Jaimanitas in Cuba on November 16, 2022, and sank 30 miles into the trip. Of the 18 people aboard, 16 people drowned. There were no life jackets on board, and the two survivors told authorities that the captain “did not appear to know how to operate the vessel,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The Charges Carry Life in Prison
The charges carry up to life in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years, the office said. A plea agreement does not spell out any sentence that prosecutors will recommend, but it does indicate they will ask that it be reduced because of her cooperation. Sentencing is scheduled for April 11.
A Federal Defender’s Response
A federal defender listed as representing Dominguez-Nieves did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.
Global Migration Crisis
In 2022, at least 269 migrants — most of whom were trying to reach the United States mainland or Puerto Rico — died on sea routes through the Caribbean, according to the International Organization for Migration, an organization within the United Nations system. On the U.S.-Mexico border, 686 migrant deaths were recorded in 2022, the group said in a 2023 report.
Conclusion
This tragic incident highlights the dangers and risks associated with human smuggling and the importance of addressing the root causes of migration. The guilty plea by Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves is a step towards justice, but it also underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the global migration crisis.
FAQs
* What is the charge against Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves?
She pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle aliens into the United States.
* What is the maximum sentence for the charges?
Up to life in prison.
* How many people died in the incident?
16 people drowned, and two survived.
* What is the International Organization for Migration’s report on migrant deaths in 2022?
The organization reported at least 269 migrant deaths on sea routes through the Caribbean and 686 on the U.S.-Mexico border.
