ISTANBUL

The US has revoked visas and imposed visa restrictions on individuals in Mexico identified as "knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States," the State Department said Wednesday.

The action applies to executives and senior officials of a Mexico-based transportation company who knowingly provided travel services designed primarily for people intending to illegally immigrate to the US, according to the statement.

Investigators found that the individuals organized travel arrangements for people including children from Caribbean locations and other areas to Central American staging points, "where many were later encountered attempting to enter the United States illegally."

The State Department said it is revoking visas and taking steps to impose visa restrictions to prevent these individuals from entering the country, warning: "The United States will not tolerate any attempts to undermine our national security or immigration laws."

The department said it will ensure that those who "profit from illegal immigration" face consequences and will aggressively target smuggling networks to protect borders.