Israeli man pleads guilty to bringing an alien to the U.S.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Israel Enden, 46, a citizen of Israel, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to bringing an alien to the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.

According to the plea agreement, Enden is a dual citizen, he was born in the United States and physically resides in the State of Israel. In the early morning hours of January 8, 2026, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers encountered Enden driving a vehicle bearing Canadian license plates at primary inspection at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry. Enden was referred to for secondary inspection after failing to produce any rental agreement for the vehicle. During secondary inspection, officers opened the rear hatch of the vehicle and observed a large male, later identified as Elazar Wigdorowitz, hiding beneath some suitcases. Subsequent investigation determined that Enden, Wigdorowitz, and a third person flew from Warsaw, Poland to Toronto, Canada together the previous day on January 7, 2026. When Enden drove the rental from Canada to the United States, he knew Elazar Wigdorowitz was an alien and had not received prior official authorization to enter the United States.

Elazar Wigdorowitz was previously convicted of improper entry by an alien, sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan W. Fitzgerald and Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation 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.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

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