Coyotes use TikTok to promote illegal crossing from Mexico to US

The so-called “polleros”, or human traffickers, now resort to tik tak on the northern border of Mexico offer your crossing services USA and recruit migrants who, given uncertainty and migration restrictions, agree to pay them.

activists and authorities Mexico And USA They warned about the social network’s practices, which they say shows how these “coyotes” are using new technologies to take advantage of the vulnerability of migrants.

From Tijuana, on the border Mexico with California, EFE He accessed various accounts with videos showing the border wall showing Polleros putting up ladders and crossing migrants in seconds, and even people wearing military clothing to disguise themselves.

These posts have captions such as “Crosses for USA for these dates for ordering, interested write to me” or “Departure to USA 100% safe and cheap transfers these days” followed by some phone numbers.

The accounts are usually public, some with illegible usernames, and others are individual accounts of people who also share their daily lives, although most of those analyzed only have one or two publications offering these services.

New risks for migrants

This was announced by the municipal director of the organization “Attention to Migrants” in Tijuana, Enrique Lucero Vazquez. EFE that this reflects how traffickers are looking for ways to recruit migrants at any cost.

The official warned that this puts migrants in a “completely perilous” position as they do not know where these accounts come from or who is behind them.

He argued that the risks for migrants had grown since USA announced immigration restrictions last January, such as extending Section 42 to immediately expel those arriving by land, especially Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans.

This situation is becoming more and more difficult due to the fact that in USA or Section 42 exemptions, so immigrants are very vulnerable to falling into the hands of these people who are looking for every means to cheat,” he said.

He denounced that now “it’s shamelessly mentioned and promoted on these very popular social networks.”

“And, unfortunately, migrants are willing to pay the amounts that they are asked, either because they have a relative who pays the fare, but they peck at it, because all they want is to go to USA”, noticed.

The official said that given the vulnerability and insecurity that migrants find themselves in, it happens that “in many cases they trust these people (traffickers) more than they trust the authorities.”

The issue also illustrates the record migration flow in the region: 2.76 million undocumented immigrants are detained at the border USA With Mexico in fiscal year 2022.

Faced with a problem, Vasquez demanded the intervention of the cybernetic police of the prosecutor’s office and pointed out the responsibility social media.

“Unfortunately, it also includes those in charge of these networks who should care more about these publications and put filters to avoid them, which is not legal, I mean that the complaint is no longer required, but they should it do. trade, he said.

EFE