One of the most startling aspects of smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border is the sheer number of identification documents found scattered on the ground. Passports, identity cards, and other papers are left behind by illegal immigrants who discard their old lives as they cross the border, hoping to take advantage of lenient immigration policies in the U.S.
During a recent investigation in Jacumba, California, two human trafficking experts observed this process firsthand.
A smuggler, masked with a balaclava, was seen aiding adult migrants as they climbed a rope ladder over the fence. The smuggler then passed a child through the bars and took “proof-of-life” photos to show the individuals who paid for their smuggling that the migrants had successfully entered the U.S. Shortly after, Border Patrol agents arrived.
“They openly smuggle people through,” explained Jarrod Sadulski, a human trafficking expert. “In just 30 seconds, Border Patrol picks up the migrants, loads them into their truck—often referred to as the ‘Migrant Uber’—and the migrants understand this as their gateway to asylum.”
Sadulski and his colleague, Ali Hopper, expressed shock at the formalization and normalization of illegal border crossings.
“It’s astonishing how routine this has become,” Sadulski remarked.
Hopper likened the situation to an assembly line, with smuggling cartels running the operation, migrants as the products, and U.S. Border Patrol serving as both quality control and delivery.
“Our Border Patrol ends up facilitating the transit and processing of these individuals—whether for labor, sex, or other purposes,” Hopper said. “The current system benefits the smugglers, so there’s little incentive for them to change.”
This organized approach has contributed to record numbers of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. over the past three years. Although illegal crossings have decreased recently, President Biden attributes this decline to his tough rhetoric and changes that have shifted migrant traffic from the border to airports, where some unauthorized arrivals can enter by scheduling their arrival times.
This shift has eased some of the pressure on Border Patrol. However, for those who continue to cross illegally, the risks remain high. In Jacumba, the researchers encountered a van filled with women’s underwear, underscoring the ongoing challenges of managing border security.
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