2 More Arrested in Deaf ‘Slavery’ Case

In the latest blow to an alleged international smuggling network built on the exploitation of deaf Mexicans, federal agents in Dallas have arrested a Mexican immigrant couple and found 10 more people who were forced to peddle trinkets. The arrests brought to 24 the number of suspects who have been arrested in the U.S. and Mexico. The alleged operation held more than 50 deaf Mexicans in what officials described as “virtual slavery” in New York, confining them to two crowded apartments and forcing them to sell trinkets on subways. More than 80 deaf Mexicans identified as victims of the operation have been found.