Israel Enden, Alien Smuggling, New York 2026

Buffalo, N.Y. - In a shocking case of alien smuggling, Israel Enden, 46, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, has been sentenced for bringing an alien into the United States. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo on an undisclosed date in 2026.

Enden was convicted of bringing an alien to the United States, a serious crime that carries severe penalties. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration.

According to reports, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers encountered Enden driving a vehicle with Canadian license plates at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in the early morning hours of January 8, 2026. When questioned, Enden failed to produce a rental agreement for the vehicle, raising suspicions.

During secondary inspection, officers discovered a large male, identified as Elazar Wigdorowitz, hiding beneath suitcases in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Enden, Wigdorowitz, and a third person had traveled together from Warsaw, Poland to Toronto, Canada on January 7, 2026.

It was determined that Enden knew Elazar Wigdorowitz was an alien and had not received prior official authorization to enter the United States. Wigdorowitz was previously convicted of improper entry by an alien and sentenced to time served, before being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Israel Enden, a dual citizen with ties to both the United States and Israel, was sentenced to time served for his role in the alien smuggling case. The sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and the ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration in the United States.

This case marks a significant victory for Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration and protecting communities from violent crime. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan W. Fitzgerald and Maeve E. Huggins.

The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/israeli-man-sentenced-bringing-alien-us