Social media has become an essential tool for human smugglers who are illegally transporting migrants across the southern border. These traffickers are using platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram, and WhatsApp to recruit drivers, advertise their services, and communicate with migrants. They often flaunt their cash earnings and boast about evading authorities in their posts. In August, 22 people were indicted in Arizona for using Snapchat to recruit truck drivers by glamorizing illegal migrant smuggling. Another individual was sentenced to prison for transporting hundreds of illegal immigrants and using Snapchat to brag about cramming people into unsafe conditions.
The use of social media in migrant smuggling is not unique to the United States. Migrant smugglers are using platforms like Telegram to advertise their services to migrants in Turkey, with Turks being offered routes from Cancun to Tijuana in Mexico and into the U.S. Some Chinese migrants have reportedly been using TikTok to learn how to find gaps in the border wall and hire smugglers. Venezuelan migrant Leonel Moreno gained popularity on TikTok for encouraging others to cross the U.S.-Mexican border and exploit the U.S. welfare system. Messenger applications like WhatsApp are also being used by smugglers to communicate with migrants, plan journeys, and share real-time location information.
Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan criticized social media companies for not doing enough to stop smugglers from using their platforms for illegal activities. He emphasized the dangers associated with human smuggling, including the potential involvement of terrorists, victims of trafficking, and individuals carrying illicit substances. Homan called on Congress to hold hearings on the matter and urged social media representatives to testify about their efforts to combat criminal activity on their platforms. A conviction for conspiring to transport illegal aliens for profit carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta – the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – have policies in place to crack down on content related to human smuggling. Representatives from these platforms stated that they actively remove such content and cooperate with law enforcement to support investigations. A study by the International Organization for Migration found that digital technology has made it easier for migrant smugglers to exchange money, goods, and information. The study also highlighted how migrants in transit use smartphones and messaging apps to communicate with smugglers and share real-time location information.
Homan emphasized the need for social media companies to take stronger action against human smuggling activities on their platforms. He highlighted the potential risks associated with unknowingly aiding criminal activities, such as transporting illicit substances or supporting human trafficking. Despite efforts by social media companies to combat human smuggling, there is a call for increased oversight and accountability. The issue of migrant smuggling facilitated by social media platforms poses significant challenges to border security and the safety of individuals involved in illegal crossings.
