Fact Check: Migrants pay cartels a cut of their earnings from illegal work in the U.S.

Fact Check: "Migrants pay cartels a cut of their earnings from illegal work in the U.S."

What We Know

Recent testimonies from U.S. Border Patrol agents indicate that criminal cartels exert significant control over the smuggling of migrants across the Southwest border. According to a report released by the House Committee on Homeland Security, Border Patrol leadership confirmed that "nobody crosses without paying the cartels" (source-1). This suggests that migrants are compelled to pay these organizations not only for their passage into the U.S. but also potentially a portion of their earnings once they arrive.

The cartels have been described as controlling the flow of migrants, determining when and how many can cross at a time (source-1). Furthermore, it was noted that the cartels are making substantial profits from human smuggling, with estimates suggesting they earned around $13 billion in 2021 from this activity alone (source-1). Reports indicate that a significant percentage of migrants, approximately 80%, hire smugglers to facilitate their illegal crossings (source-5).

Analysis

The claim that migrants pay cartels a cut of their earnings from illegal work is supported by multiple sources, including testimonies from Border Patrol agents who have observed the dynamics of cartel control firsthand. Chief Patrol Agent John Modlin stated that "everyone" who illegally crosses the border must go through the cartels, emphasizing the extent of their influence (source-1). This indicates that the cartels not only facilitate entry but also maintain a system of control that likely extends to the financial aspects of migrants' lives once they are in the U.S.

Moreover, the cartels' ability to charge fees for crossing and potentially demand a share of earnings can be inferred from the broader context of their operations. Reports have highlighted how cartels utilize various methods to track and control migrants, including the use of wristbands to monitor those they smuggle (source-1). This level of control suggests that the cartels could enforce payment agreements that include a percentage of migrants' earnings.

However, while the evidence strongly supports the claim, it is essential to consider the reliability of the sources. The testimonies come from Border Patrol agents and congressional hearings, which, while credible, may carry political implications and biases. The context of these statements is rooted in ongoing debates about immigration policy and border security, which could influence the framing of the information presented.

Conclusion

The claim that migrants pay cartels a cut of their earnings from illegal work in the U.S. is True. The evidence from Border Patrol testimonies and reports on cartel operations indicates a clear pattern of control exercised by these organizations over migrants, including financial exploitation. The systemic nature of this control, coupled with the significant profits generated from human smuggling, supports the assertion that migrants are compelled to share a portion of their earnings with the cartels.

Sources

1. "Now Nobody Crosses Without Paying:” Senior Border Patrol Agents Describe Unprecedented Cartel Control at Southwest Border
2. The Cost of the Border Crisis Testimony before the House
3. "Every Dollar the Cartels Rake in Comes at the Cost of an American Life or Livelihood"
4. Treasury Targets Cartel-Enabled Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Activities
5. As smuggling rings made billions from migrants, the U.S. faces a crisis
6. How Mexican narcos use remittances to wire U.S. drug profits back home
7. Cartels, Human Smuggling, and Unlawful Immigration
8. Global migration, by the numbers | World Economic Forum