Yeah. They were sold by Africans and brought to America. And after the ban in 1808 they were smuggled. It is estimated that about 50,000 slaves were illegally transported into the states after the ban-which means they were smuggled into the US. If it is your contention the number is ZERO-you are very much mistaken and you do not understand human nature at all. I invite you to the Texas border where the smuggling of people across the border is also illegal and happens every day.
Article is about the ~1860’s not the southern border or any other border today. Yes there’s still slave trading going on and probably always will be.