A Guatemalan man, Luciano Tinuar Quino, also known as Luciano Tinuar Guino, has been charged in New Jersey for allegedly submitting false sponsorship applications to gain custody of two unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who entered the United States illegally. The criminal complaint accuses him of making false statements to the U.S. government.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the situation, stating that "the prior administration’s border policies created chaos and allowed bad actors to prey upon the most vulnerable among us." She emphasized that the Department of Justice is committed to protecting children from harm.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey expressed dedication to child safety: "This prosecution is an example of my office’s dedication to keeping children safe." She added that there would be zero tolerance for those exploiting the Unaccompanied Alien Children program.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "This was a clear attempt from an individual unlawfully in the United States seeking to undermine our laws and target children," emphasizing that such actions will not be tolerated.
According to court documents, Tinuar Quino submitted multiple applications under penalties of perjury through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). These applications aimed to sponsor a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old Guatemalan male. Allegations include falsely claiming paternity and using falsified documents like photoshopped images and fake identification cards.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons noted, “Attempting to exploit the sponsorship system to gain custody of unaccompanied alien children puts those minors at serious risk.” ORR Acting Director Angie M. Salazar added, “Protecting children means holding individuals accountable when they use deception.”
Tinuar Quino faces two counts of making false statements, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted. The charges result from efforts by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which targets human smuggling networks impacting public safety and border security.
The investigation involves collaboration between FBI and ICE HSI Newark field offices with support from international teams. Senior Trial Attorney Christian Levesque, JTFA Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Sussman are prosecuting with additional support from various justice departments.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, focusing on combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations threatening community safety.
A complaint remains an allegation until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.