2 men indicted for human smuggling

2 men indicted for human smuggling


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Paul Nelson and Tom Callan reportingIllegal immigrants may be advising each other not to cross the border, saying that the trip just isn't worthwhile for many of them.

One man confessed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that he paid two Orem men for a fake Mexican visa. Others made the trek to Orem to work 14-hour days, six days a week in construction.

Jose Hernan-Moreno Sevilla and Alejandro Meza charged with sneaking three immigrants across the border and forcing them to work long days to pay for the fee.

People in Mexico are hearing too many stories like this one. "People are getting the message down there it's no use coming at this point," said Tony Yapias, with Proyecto Latino de Utah. He says crossing the border is becoming more dangerous, and the coyotes are getting more greedy than they were before.

Yapias says, "Just a few years ago $1,000 or $2,000 was enough. Now we are hearing it takes up to $5,000 to $10,000."

Yapias says our presidential debates are being closely watched in Mexico, and the discussions over illegal immigration are also keeping people from crossing.

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