Newsweek, Green Card Holders Prosecuted for Employing Undocumented Immigrants
After a three-day trial, a jury on Wednesday convicted South Texas bakery co-owners Leonardo Baez-Lara and Alicia Avila-Guel on two counts of harboring aliens and conspiracy to commit the crime. “We are disappointed and heartbroken after yesterday’s guilty verdict. It’s scary to think what may come about after this,” Sergio Luis Villarreal, a lawyer representing Baez-Lara, told Newsweek on Thursday. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, for comment via email. Why It Matters Federal immigration authorities have targeted business owners for allegedly employing undocumented immigrants and arrested the couple earlier this year over the matter. The jury’s decision comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with the president having pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Much of the focus has been on detaining immigrants residing in the country with invalid documentation or criminal histories; however, those aiding individuals have also been targeted. The couple is among the first to be prosecuted not for their own legal status, but for harboring people in the country illegally, and is now charged with criminal offenses. What To Know Baez-Lara, 56, and Avila-Guel, 46, are both legal permanent residents who live in Los Fresnos, Texas, which is located near the Mexico border. They have owned and operated Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café since 2012. Homeland Security Investigations conducted a “worksite enforcement action” at Abby’s Bakery in Los Fresnos on February 12. At the site, authorities identified “several employees and others who were in the United States illegally or in the country under B1/B2 visas without having the right to work,” a U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas press release said. On Wednesday, a jury in Brownsville deliberated after a three-day trial on the matter, ultimately finding the couple guilty on the two counts. The press release stated that testimony in the trial revealed that one worker, “after entering the United States illegally, he had a brief interview regarding his abilities as a baker and was immediately offered a job and a place to stay.” The defense attorneys argued that the owners did not harbor the workers, but offered shelter. Villarreal told Newsweek on Thursday, “essentially, the government is expanding the use of the term ‘harboring.’ It sets an example for our community that the most innocent of actions with people close to you can land you in very serious legal trouble.” What People Are Saying Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio said in a press release: “The jury’s verdict affirms that the defendants knowingly conspired to harbor individuals in the country illegally, committed two separate acts of harboring, and did so for personal financial gain. These actions not only violate federal immigration laws but also exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. This conviction sends a clear message: those who engage in human smuggling and harboring for financial benefit will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Cesar de Leon, Avila-Guel’s attorney, told the Associated Press: “We just felt that in this instance, there was really no harboring.” U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said in the press release: “The jury’s verdict vindicates the American people’s mandate that our immigration laws be fully enforced. Business owners who put profits over their fellow citizens by harboring illegal aliens should be advised that the Southern District of Texas will not look the other way.” What Happens Next The couple will be sentenced on November 18. They face up to 10 years in federal prison as well as a potential fine of up to $250,000. The press release also notes they may lose their residency status.
KRGV, Government rests their case in trial against Abby’s Bakery owners
The trial against the owners of a bakery in Los Fresnos who are accused of hiring and housing undocumented immigrants continued on Tuesday. The government rested their case against defendants Leonardo Baez-Lara and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel. During the second day of the trial, jurors heard from two former Abby’s Bakery employees who were identified as being in the country illegally when federal agents raided the business in February 2025. READ MORE: Los Fresnos business owners arrested after 8 undocumented migrants found in their bakery The testimonies were pre-recorded and played for the jury, as the men were deported following their interview. As previously reported, eight people were arrested during the February raid. Six of those individuals had visas but did not have permission to work in the country, and the other two employees were undocumented. Baez-Lara and Avila-Guel were charged following the arrests. On Tuesday, jurors heard about “Suite #5,” the room on the bakery property that federal prosecutors said the undocumented employees stayed at. The men were asked if they were required to sleep there, they said no and that they were free to leave and were not held against their will. One of the witnesses was Roberto Ibarra Otero, who was considered the “lead baker”and manager. He said he was paid $100 to work there and has worked at Abby’s Bakery for 10 years. Dillon Duke, an agent with Homeland Security Investigations, also took the stand on Tuesday. He was the lead investigator in the case, and said the investigation began after the department received a tip in December 2024 about undocumented people working at the bakery and being housed there. Duke said surveillance of the bakery was done twice, and several adult males were seen exiting Suite #5. During the February raid, agents saw Suite #5 and Duke testified it was a “rectangular room” with mattresses lying against the wall, a TV, shower, bathroom and A/C. Duke said workers were paid $8 an hour, while the lead baker made more. The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday morning, with the owners’ son expected to be called to testify by the defense.
MyRGV, Call to HSI tip line led to immigration raid at Los Fresnos bakery
BROWNSVILLE — A federal judge Friday morning granted bonds to the owners of a Los Fresnos bakery who were arrested on harboring charges Wednesday. Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Gruel appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt in Brownsville federal court where they each received $100,000 bonds with $15,000 cash deposits. The married couple, who own Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Cafe, is charged with harboring eight people illegally present in the country. During the hearing, Special Agent Dillon Duke testified that a tip that came into a Homeland Security Investigations tip line in December resulted in an investigation being initiated. Then, on Feb. 12, HSI special agents encountered Baez and Avila-Guel at the bakery and found eight people who were in the country illegally, according to a complaint. Duke, however, clarified during testimony that apparently six of the individuals held temporary visas. It’s unclear whether they overstayed. Duke said two were in the country illegally. The complaint said that on Feb. 12, the owners admitted to knowing the people were in the country illegally. Duke testified that they told him that they knew a day like this was coming. According to Duke, the people stayed in a small, rectangular room called “Unit 5” that was on the side of the property. He said the room had six beds and two bathrooms. He also said that the people were paid $8 an hour. Sergio Villarreal, who represents Baez, argued that while the people in the country illegally were employed, the couple wasn’t harboring because they weren’t trying to hide them, weren’t keeping them against their will and because they were free to leave the premises at any time. Villarreal said for the harboring charge to apply, there needed to be covertness. Betancourt, the judge, however, found probable cause during the hearing. After the hearing, Villarreal described his client’s arrest as political. “This is scary. They are setting a precedent for what’s going to happen in the area. This feels like a political raid,” Villarreal said. He also described Baez and Alicia-Gruel as resilient. “They just want to get back to work,” he said. “They’re scared of this political situation.” David Avila, Avila-Gruel’s brother, spoke on behalf of the family following the hearing. “They are hard working people who are very involved in the community,” he said. “All we ask for is respect at this time.”