Seven accused of smuggling children to U.S.

Seven Chicago area people were indicted on federal charges ofillegally bringing South Americans -- mostly children -- into theUnited States by paying off American families to acquire fraudulentpassports, immigration officials said Thursday.

Those involved in the ring allegedly ran it to make money from 300to 500 illegal passports, which were used to reunite children livingabroad with parents or other relatives already in the United States.

Family members allegedly paid members of the operation $10,000 to$15,000 to be smuggled into the country, Peter Fahey, U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement supervisor special agent, said.

Federal officials in July charged …