Turkish smugglers are using social media platforms to help migrants from around the world cross the southern border into the U.S. illegally, according to a Daily Caller News Foundation review of Telegram and TikTok posts. It seems that they are helping.
This ad offers travel, visa, and direct transportation arrangements to the U.S.-Mexico border for immigrants from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Border Patrol encounters with immigrants illegally crossing the southern border have set numerous records in recent years, reaching more than 2.2 million encounters in 2022 and more than 2 million in 2023. according to to federal data. (Related: Federal government expresses concern over new channels fueling immigration crisis)
One smuggled ad shared on Telegram boasts a $10,000 “guarantee pass,” which includes a flight ticket from Istanbul to Cancun, a Mexican visa, a “Cancun entrance,” a hotel room, a taxi, and ” Delivery to the Tijuana border is included.
“For citizens of any country who cannot obtain a Mexican visa and cannot fly to Nicaragua, we are preparing a path,” the post reads.
The two Telegram channels, which have thousands of members, include videos and messages from immigrants thanking specific people. There is also a photo of a passport stamped by Mexican authorities.
“This is the border. Because of you, we arrived in the United States,” one man said in a TikTok post taken next to the border wall. The video shows migrants thanking Turkey's name, Volkan.
@meksikadancikis #jump #Flypsi #viral #ticktock #Mexica #cancun #Tijuana #abdo #Keshfet ♬ Original ses – https://t.me/meksikadancikis
In another video, another man mentions “Volkan” and calls him “King.”
Another video shows a man attempting to cross the border on foot, saying that “Volkan” can enter the United States at any time.
“When no one seems to be able to get through the door, I'll leave the door open for everyone,” he said.
Both the name “Volkan” and another Turkish name, “Burak”, appear in the Telegram message. In a private telegram conversation between DCNF and “Burak,” the alleged smuggler is said to have been involved in transporting people from all over the world by obtaining Mexican visas and facilitating travel via Nicaragua and El Salvador. He said he is helping people enter the United States.
“Bulak” also said the DCNF's questions sounded like “police officer” questions. Burak communicated in Turkish, which was translated by DCNF.
@meksikadancikis #Mexica #cancun #Tijuana #abdo ♬ Original ses – https://t.me/meksikadancikis
@meksikadancikis #Mexica #cancun #Tijuana #abdo ♬ Original ses – https://t.me/meksikadancikis
The number of migrants arriving from “countries of special interest” countries, classified as such because of potential national security risks, will increase in fiscal year 2022 compared to the previous year, according to Internal Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The number of deaths increased by nearly 600% to 25,627. ) Data previously obtained by DCNF.
According to a 2019 DHS fact sheet, immigrants who fall into this category may be considered “possibly terrorism-linked.”
“Smugglers make far more money from special interest aliens,” a Border Patrol official told DCNF on condition of anonymity about fees based on country of origin.
Border Patrol has recorded a sharp increase in encounters with Turkish migrants illegally crossing the southern border. according to to federal data. The number of illegal immigrants from Turkey was approximately 1,300 in 2021, but increased to more than 15,400 in 2023.
But when it comes to the use of encrypted apps like Telegram, it's difficult for federal agents to crack down on that effort, two U.S. intelligence officials told DCNF on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. Told.
“Telegram does not assist U.S. law enforcement agencies unless the incident involves terrorism,” the intelligence official said. “Smugglers can openly recruit to gain new customers.”
“Most migrants spend $10,000 smuggling into countries bordering the United States, knowing that once they arrive in the United States they can apply for asylum and be released without repercussions,” the official said. “We are paying,” he added.
TikTok did not respond to DCNF's request for comment.
“Since our founding, Telegram has actively moderated harmful content on our platform,” Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughan said in a statement to DCNF. “Moderators use a combination of proactive monitoring of public parts of the platform and user reporting to remove content that violates our Terms of Service.”
In March, CBP told officials that a smuggling route involved a group of Chinese immigrants traveling to Istanbul, obtaining Mexican visas there, posing as a couple and flying to Mexico City, before splitting up and heading to the border. sent a memo detailing the
A CBP spokesperson recently told DCNF that people are posing as travel agents in the Senegalese capital and attempting to lure migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border by obtaining visas to transit the European Union. .
“They sell complete packages that link them to smuggling rings and facilitate their movement to the border,” the spokesperson added.
The Turkish embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to a request for comment.
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