ICE Arrests Guatemalan National for Employing Illegal Aliens

ICE News Releases

Filed March 5th, 2026

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

ICE Homeland Security Investigations arrested Brayan Adiel Gramajo Reyes, a Guatemalan national, for allegedly employing illegal aliens and encouraging illegal entry in Idaho. The investigation also uncovered human trafficking elements, with Gramajo accused of exploiting unaccompanied alien children.

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What changed

ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Brayan Adiel Gramajo Reyes, a national of Guatemala, on February 28, 2026, for alleged illegal business practices discovered during a human trafficking investigation. Gramajo faces federal charges including encouraging illegal entry, using false statements for employment verification, and unlawful employment of aliens. The investigation revealed that Gramajo allegedly persuaded two unaccompanied alien children to travel to the U.S. and then forced them to work long hours of physical labor.

This enforcement action highlights the intersection of worksite enforcement and human trafficking, particularly concerning the exploitation of vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied alien children. Employers engaging in the unlawful employment of aliens or using fraudulent employment verification practices face significant legal consequences, including criminal charges and penalties. The agency emphasizes its commitment to combating illegal employment networks and rescuing victims.

What to do next

Review Form I-9 compliance procedures to ensure accurate verification of employee work authorization.
Implement enhanced due diligence for hiring practices to prevent the employment of unauthorized workers.
Stay informed on worksite enforcement trends and potential penalties for violations.

Penalties

Criminal charges include counts of encouraging illegal entry, using false statements for employment verification, and unlawful employment of aliens. Penalties for such offenses can include significant fines and imprisonment.

Source document (simplified)

March 5, 2026 Boise, ID, United States Human Smuggling/Trafficking, Worksite Enforcement

ICE investigation leads to arrest of criminal illegal alien from Guatemala for employing illegal aliens in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho — ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Brayan Adiel Gramajo Reyes, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, Feb. 28 for alleged illegal business practices discovered in a recent human trafficking investigation.

A federal grand jury in Pocatello returned an indictment charging Gramajo with two counts of encouraging illegal entry of aliens to enter the United States, eight counts of using false statements for employment verification by attesting that Social Security numbers were genuine and that the employees were authorized to work in the United States, knowing that was false, and one count of unlawful employment of aliens.

"Rescuing unaccompanied children who are tragically exploited and trafficked is a top HSI priority,” said HSI Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Our investigation underscores HSI’s resolve to enforce our U.S. law and safeguard every child. Additionally, worksite enforcement is central to protecting our communities — targeting illegal employment networks, rescuing victims and stopping fraudulent business practices that harm real Americans.”

According to the HSI investigation, Gramajo persuaded two unaccompanied alien children to travel from Guatemala to the United States with prospects of opportunity, only to require them to work long hours of physical labor after arriving in Idaho.

HSI is dedicated to locating the 450,000 unaccompanied alien children that came in through the border under the Biden administration. Too many of these children were exploited, trafficked and abused. HSI will continue to ramp up efforts and will not stop until every child is found. Sadly, during those four years, many of the children who came across the border unaccompanied were placed with unvetted sponsors who were actually smugglers and sex traffickers. The Trump administration has located more than 132,000 of these children.