In a landmark effort of cross-border law enforcement coordination, Monica Hernandez-Palma, a 32-year-old Mexican national, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in the United States for her alleged involvement in an international human smuggling conspiracy. Hernandez-Palma, AKA “Moni,” was arrested in Mexico and transferred to U.S. authorities on January 10. She appeared in federal court in the Western District of Texas today, where an indictment against her was unsealed.
Hernandez-Palma is accused of conspiring with others from November 2020 to September 2023 to illegally transport migrants into the United States for commercial gain. The indictment includes one count of conspiracy to bring a migrant to the U.S. at an unauthorized entry point and three counts of bringing migrants into the country for financial advantage. If convicted, Hernandez-Palma faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the extradition, citing extensive collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection. The case is part of a broader initiative under the Justice Department’s Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which targets dangerous human smuggling networks operating in Mexico and Central America.
Brent S. Wible, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, and Jaime Esparza, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, praised the interagency efforts that led to the successful extradition. “This case represents a significant victory in our fight against human smuggling, a crime that exploits vulnerable migrants and endangers our communities,” said Wible.
The JTFA, created in 2021 to disrupt and dismantle dangerous smuggling networks, has enhanced U.S. efforts to tackle the growing threat of human trafficking across the southwest border. The initiative also focuses on international collaboration with law enforcement partners in Mexico, Central America, and beyond, including recent expansions into Colombia and Panama.
