Amid scorching temperatures rising into the triple digits, Homeland Security officials caution migrants and their families against relying on human smugglers to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. The ongoing heatwave has made the already perilous journey through the harsh desert terrain of the Rio Grande Valley even more hazardous.
Mark Lippa, deputy special agent in charge, emphasized that Mexican cartels engaged in human trafficking show no concern for the well-being of migrants. Many migrants are abandoned, injured, dehydrated, and alone after being left behind by cartels following payments arranged with human traffickers.
Lippa stressed in an interview with Border Report that migrants are often found in deplorable conditions, highlighting the dangers of human smuggling. He warned against putting family members at risk by entrusting their safety to individuals who do not prioritize their well-being, leading to abusive situations, assaults, or even fatalities.
Various methods, including land crossings, maritime smuggling, aviation transports, train routes, and hiding in tractor-trailers, are used by human traffickers in the Rio Grande Valley. Lippa also pointed out that erecting a 30-foot wall may not deter entry as much as policymakers assume, but rather encourages individuals to take greater risks.
Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals 171 migrant deaths during the 2021-2022 fiscal year, including 52 fatalities in CBP custody. A tragic incident in 2022 saw 53 migrants perish in San Antonio after being crammed into a sweltering tractor-trailer without proper ventilation, marking the deadliest smuggling mishap in the U.S. on record.
“Ruthless criminals jeopardize the lives of migrants, treating them merely as objects for financial gain with no regard for their safety,” remarked HSI Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of San Antonio. He vowed that efforts to hold these irresponsible individuals accountable will persist.
Furthermore, a group of 2,000 migrants currently aims to enter the U.S. via Mexico on foot, with some expressing concerns about potential border closures should former President Trump secure victory in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.