sports
Padres Prospect Self-Deports to Mexico After Guilty Plea in Human Smuggling Case
A 19-year-old pitcher ranked as the organization's fifth-best prospect pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of transporting undocumented immigrants for payment. Humberto Cruz was arrested in October near an Arizona border town and has returned to Mexico, where he faces a 10-year loss of his work visa. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison but received credit for time served.
May 9, 5:08 PM·1m read2 sources
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A top pitching prospect with a major league organization has self-deported to Mexico after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to transporting undocumented immigrants within the United States. Humberto Cruz, 19, entered the plea after federal prosecutors initially sought a felony conviction, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The Athletic reported that Cruz had decided to self-deport and was already back in Mexico. Officials said he acknowledged it was a virtual certainty he would be deported. Cruz was arrested in October near an Arizona border town after police stopped a 2020 BMW SUV suspected of carrying individuals who had crossed the border illegally.
He waived his Miranda rights and told agents he knew the people he was transporting were undocumented and that he expected to be paid $1,000 for each person, the Union-Tribune reported. At the time of his arrest, Cruz had been rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.
The organization signed him in 2024 with a $750,000 bonus. He appeared in rookie ball during the 2024 and 2025 seasons before advancing to Single-A.
The organization's understanding is that Cruz will lose his work visa for 10 years but could reapply after five years of good behavior, the Union-Tribune reported. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison and received credit for time already served. " He added that he takes responsibility for his conduct and is committed to personal growth and accountability.
The case highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement and professional sports, where prospects on work visas face immediate career consequences from criminal convictions involving border-related offenses.
