HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — Officials with Homeland Security Investigations have launched a campaign to get the word out to migrants and their families not to rely on human smugglers to get across the South Texas border during triple-digit heat.
Mark Lippa, deputy special agent in charge, says Mexican cartels that operate human smuggling chains do not care about the health or wellbeing of migrants. He said in days following stretched of 100-degree weather, officers find migrants abandoned, dehydrated, injured and assaulted throughout the Rio Grande Valley region.
“The migrants are often found in conditions that are not worthy of humans,” Lippa told Border Report on Tuesday.
“The message is human smuggling is very dangerous. If you or a family member are thinking of having a family member smuggled in, think again. Don’t do it. You are placing your family member in the hands of someone who is not going to care for that family member,” Lippa said. “We’ve had cases that have wound up in abusive situation, rape or even death.”
In Fiscal Year 2022, there were 171 migrant deaths, including 52 who died in CBP custody, according to the latest data available by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. That’s up 13% from Fiscal Year 2021, with most migrants dying from “distress” both years, the agency says.
Recently there’s been a trend in migrants being smuggled in boats on the Gulf of Mexico. Lippa says many boats capsize, resulting in deaths and injuries.
“There’s a variety of different means here in the Rio Grande Valley that human smugglers use. We have seen everything from being crossed by land, to maritime smuggling events, sadly some that have resulted in deaths,” Lippa said. “Some have involved aviation smuggling. We’ve had investigations that have involved trains and even the backs of tractor-trailers.”
The deadliest smuggling incident occurred on June 27, 2022, in San Antonio, where 53 migrants were found dead in the back of a locked tractor-trailer that had been driven from a port of entry in Laredo, Texas.
Stash houses in the Rio Grande Valley can house dozens of migrants. (Photos courtesy CBP)
“Ruthless criminals endanger the lives of migrants who are often smuggled through unpredictable terrain,” HSI Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of San Antonio said. “Transnational criminal organizations treat migrants as commodities for financial gain, with little regard for their safety. HSI will continue to work aggressively to bring these criminals to justice.”
Anyone with information or tips on human smuggling can call the HSI Tip Line at (866) 347-2423.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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