U.S. border officials are accused of taking bribes to admit 'paperless migrants' into the country.

Prosecutors allege that two border agents in Southern California allowed dozens of vehicles to pass through the border in exchange for thousands of dollars.

In the U.S., prosecutors are accusing two U.S. Border Patrol inspectors in Southern California of taking bribes to permit undocumented immigrants to enter the country without showing documents. According to an indictment announced last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez were charged after investigators found phone evidence showing the inspectors were messaging human traffickers in Mexico and discovered cash deposits of unclear origin in their bank accounts. Prosecutors argued that the officers turned a blind eye to dozens of vehicles carrying undocumented immigrants at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which connects San Diego in the U.S. with Tijuana in Mexico and is one of the busiest land border crossings in the world. Prosecutors stated that the two men were paid thousands of dollars for each vehicle they facilitated. Rodriguez's attorney, Michael Hawkins, noted that the case is still in its "early stages" and reminded of the presumption of innocence. Hawkins said, "We look forward to working on the current situation." It remains unclear whether Almonte has legal representation. According to prosecutors, the investigation into Almonte and Rodriguez was initiated after three human traffickers arrested last year told federal investigators that they had been working with U.S. border inspectors. While in custody, Almonte is alleged to have had approximately $70,000 (64,000 euros) in cash seized, which investigators believed his romantic partner was attempting to transport to Tijuana. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, prosecutors indicated in a court filing that Almonte could face additional charges such as money laundering and obstruction of justice. U.S. Assistant Attorney Andrew Haden stated in an interview with the newspaper, "Any Customs and Border Protection agent who assists or turns a blind eye to traffickers bringing undocumented immigrants to the U.S. is betraying their oath and jeopardizing our national security." The charges against Almonte and Rodriguez are the latest in a series of corruption cases involving CBP personnel in Southern California. In the past two years, five officers in the San Diego area have faced prosecution for similar offenses.