Feds arrest Polish immigrant in NM smuggling case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Illinois man faces human smuggling charges after allegedly placing an ad in a Polish language newspaper offering to help illegal immigrants get New Mexico driver’s licenses.

At least two people apparently took 32-year-old Jaroslaw Kowalczyk up on the offer. A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque says he transported two illegal immigrants from Chicago to Albuquerque, charging them $1,000 each.

Unlike most states, New Mexico issues driver’s licenses to foreign nationals without requiring them to present a Social Security card.

Translated to English, the ad Kowalczyk allegedly placed reads: “Driver’s license in the State of New Mexico. Social security not necessary. 100 percent guarantee.”

Federal court records show Kowalczyk waived a preliminary hearing Thursday and was jailed pending trial.