Resident aliens convicted of smuggling aliens may be deportable if elements of which provision are proven?

• A. Section 241(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
• B. Section 5 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
• C. Section 241(a)(13) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
• D. Section 1324 of the Immigration and Nationality Act

Answer: (C)

Smuggling aliens is a direct ground for removing someone who is already in the United States. The provision in question targets exactly that conduct—smuggling or bringing in or harboring aliens—often for profit or in connection with an alien-smuggling operation. When a resident alien is convicted and the elements show that they engaged in smuggling, this satisfies that deportation ground, making removal the appropriate consequence. The other provisions cover different crimes or immigration violations, but they do not specifically address the act of smuggling aliens for removal, so they don’t fit the scenario as precisely.