Social Media Fuels Illegal Migrant Smuggling Crisis, Raising Concerns for Americans

Social media platforms like Snapchat, Telegram, and TikTok are being exploited by human smugglers to facilitate illegal migrant crossings, leaving Americans vulnerable to potential threats, according to a Turkish migrant who recently entered the U.S.

Social media has become an indispensable tool for human smugglers, who are exploiting the platforms' features to illegally transport migrants across the southern border. These cash-hungry traffickers flaunt their illegal operations on apps, boasting about their ability to evade authorities and offering tempting financial incentives.

In August, 22 individuals were indicted in Arizona for utilizing Snapchat posts featuring cash to recruit truck drivers for migrant smuggling. Many of the posts claimed that drivers could earn substantial sums without the risk of arrest. In September, an Arizona man was sentenced to 71 months in prison for transporting hundreds of illegal immigrants, and investigators uncovered Snapchat posts in which he bragged about overcrowding vehicles in unsafe conditions and involving minors in smuggling operations.

Social Media Fuels Illegal Migrant Smuggling Crisis, Raising Concerns for Americans

Telegram has also emerged as a popular platform for migrant smugglers, who use it to advertise their services to migrants in Turkey. Turks are being offered routes from Cancun to Tijuana in Mexico, including flights and travel into the U.S. The smugglers reportedly tell migrants not to "delay their dreams" in advertisements for these travel routes.

According to a segment on "60 Minutes," some Chinese migrants have been using videos on TikTok to find gaps in the border wall and hire smugglers. Venezuelan illegal migrant Leonel Moreno, who gained notoriety on TikTok for encouraging others to cross the border and exploit the U.S. welfare system, has been arrested by ICE.

Social Media Fuels Illegal Migrant Smuggling Crisis, Raising Concerns for Americans

WhatsApp is another crucial tool for smugglers, who use its free phone and video calls, text messaging, and real-time geolocation features to communicate with migrants and plan their journeys.

Former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan criticized social media companies for not doing enough to combat smugglers' use of their platforms. He alleged that his social media accounts had been restricted for posting political content, while criminal activity involving human smuggling was allowed to persist.

Social Media Fuels Illegal Migrant Smuggling Crisis, Raising Concerns for Americans

Homan called on Congress to hold hearings on the matter and for social media representatives to testify about their efforts to address the issue. He emphasized the need to protect the safety and security of the nation, questioning why the platforms prioritize monitoring political speech over criminal activity.

Social media representatives for Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, stated that they have policies in place to remove such content. However, a study by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) found that digital technology has facilitated the exchange of money, goods, and information among migrant smugglers.

Social Media Fuels Illegal Migrant Smuggling Crisis, Raising Concerns for Americans

The study surveyed 531 migrants in transit at the southern border, revealing that 64% had access to smartphones and the internet during their journey. Homan urged social media companies to take responsibility and crack down on smugglers' activities, emphasizing that the safety of the nation depends on it.