San Diego Padres right-handed pitching prospect Humberto Cruz, 19, has self-deported to his native Mexico following a guilty plea to a federal misdemeanor charge related to the transportation of illegal aliens within the United States.
Cruz, identified in court records as Humberto Federico Cruz-Guajardo, signed with the Padres out of Monterrey, Mexico, in February 2024 for a $750,000 bonus. He was ranked as the organization’s No. 5 prospect by multiple scouting outlets prior to the legal proceedings.
The incident occurred on October 28, 2025, near Lukeville, Arizona. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Border Patrol agents observed a brown 2020 BMW SUV with Mexican license plates traveling south on State Route 85 with only the driver inside.
Approximately one hour later, agents saw the same vehicle heading north near mile-marker 77 with multiple occupants. The discrepancy prompted a traffic stop near mile-marker 58, according to a report from the San Diego Tribune.
Crux was identified as the driver of the vehicle, while the two passengers were Mexican citizens who had entered the United States illegally. One of the individuals had been deported four days earlier through Nogales, Arizona.
After waiving his Miranda rights, Cruz told agents he had responded to a social media advertisement seeking drivers “to pick up people for easy money.” He stated he was offered $1,000 for each person transported, received pickup locations via pin drops on his phone, and was directed to drive the individuals to Tucson and then Phoenix.
Cruz acknowledged that he knew the passengers “were illegal” and that he needed the extra money because he did not work in the late afternoons.
Federal prosecutors initially charged Cruz with one felony count of transportation of illegal aliens for profit and one misdemeanor count of accessory after the fact to improper entry. On November 13, 2025, under a plea agreement, the government dismissed the felony charge — which carried a potential maximum sentence of 10 years — in exchange for Cruz’s guilty plea to the misdemeanor.
He was sentenced to 30 days in prison with credit for time served. The plea agreement explicitly stated that Cruz understood his conviction made his removal or deportation from the United States “practically inevitable and a virtual certainty,” and he waived nearly all rights to appeal or seek modification of the sentence.
As a result of the charges, Cruz was placed on the Padres’ minor-league restricted list on March 13, which suspends a player’s salary and prevents access to team facilities. Team sources confirmed to the San Diego Tribune that Cruz had self-deported to Mexico, and will lose his work visa for up to 10 years. He can be eligible to re-apply for reinstatement after five years if he demonstrates good behavior, however.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect. I understand that my actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization,” Cruz said in a statement released by the team.
“I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us. To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve. To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet the trust placed in me. Your support means a great deal, and I regret not honoring it in the way I should have. To my family, I am grateful for your continued support and understanding during this difficult time,” the statement went on.
The self-deportation and associated immigration consequences are expected to end Cruz’s immediate involvement with the Padres organization. As a restricted-list player unable to return to the United States for professional activities in the foreseeable future, he will miss the 2026 season and beyond unless his work visa status changes.
