Federal officials say they have identified more than 15,500 so-called “super sponsor” cases involving individuals who have sponsored multiple unaccompanied migrant children, a figure raised during a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) press conference on Thursday highlighting alleged fraud and exploitation within the federal system designed to place migrant minors in safe homes.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche cited the figure during remarks tied to new indictments involving an alleged Guatemalan smuggling and sponsorship fraud scheme, describing it as part of a broader federal review of how unaccompanied children are transferred from government custody to private sponsors.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for placing unaccompanied migrant children with vetted sponsors while immigration proceedings continue.
Officials say the system relies heavily on documentation, identity verification, and claimed family relationships to determine eligibility.
According to court documents, federal prosecutors have charged three Guatemalan nationals in connection with an alleged scheme that used false identities, forged documents, and fabricated family ties to obtain custody of migrant children after they entered the United States without parents or legal guardians.
The defendants are identified as Maritza Azucena Cahuec Coc, 38, her brother Carlos Agustin Cahuec Coc, 33, also known as “Tuco,” and Gladys Marina Caal Chen, 20.
Prosecutors allege the group operated between December 2020 and October 2023, targeting the sponsorship system by submitting fraudulent applications intended to mislead federal officials into approving custody transfers.
Authorities say Cahuec Coc coordinated efforts to bring illegal aliens into the United States and later obtain custody of minors through falsified sponsorship paperwork, including altered identity documents and false claims of family relationships.
Investigators allege some applications were approved, resulting in children being released from federal custody into homes connected to the scheme.
Officials also allege that financial transactions tied to the sponsorship process included funds deposited into accounts controlled by individuals connected to the operation.
Carlos Cahuec Coc was arrested in May while driving a vehicle registered to his sister. A 16-year-old unaccompanied minor was inside the vehicle at the time, according to court filings.
Investigators allege he communicated about smuggling operations and efforts to obtain custody of migrant children through fraudulent sponsorship applications.
In a related prosecution, federal officials say Juan Tiul Xi, 27, pleaded guilty to charges involving the smuggling of a 14-year-old girl into the United States and later obtaining custody through false statements.
Prosecutors allege he arranged for the child’s journey and directed her to use another identity to support his sponsorship application.
Authorities say the child was released into his custody after federal officials approved the application based on those representations. Court documents allege that after obtaining custody, Xi sexually assaulted the minor.
He previously was convicted in Ohio state court on sexual battery charges and received additional federal prison time for immigration-related offenses that will be served consecutively.
Blanche said the broader review of sponsorship placements reflects concerns that criminal actors may be exploiting gaps in programs intended to protect vulnerable children.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, along with international partners.
Officials say the case is part of a wider federal initiative targeting human smuggling and trafficking networks operating across the Americas.
An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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