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-Editorial
The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana warned migrants against attempting illegal sea crossings, saying human smuggling networks prioritize profit over safety and frequently use unseaworthy vessels.
“Don’t risk your life,” the consulate said in a public statement. “The coyotes only want your money. The boats they use to cross the sea illegally are unsafe and have no guarantees. Your life is worth more than a false promise.” The message concluded with the hashtag #NiLoIntentes.
The advisory comes amid persistent concerns over migrant deaths along the U.S., Mexico border, a region widely regarded by authorities and humanitarian organizations as one of the most dangerous migration corridors in the world. U.S. officials report that hundreds of migrants die each year attempting to enter the United States without authorization, often in remote terrain or under extreme environmental conditions.
The U.S. Border Patrol reported 251 migrant deaths in fiscal year 2015 and 247 in fiscal year 2020, both among the lowest totals recorded since the late 1990s. Deaths increased significantly in subsequent years, with 557 fatalities recorded along the southwest border in fiscal year 2021 and 748 in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2022, the highest numbers documented by the agency. Exposure-related causes, including heat stroke, dehydration, and hyperthermia, account for the majority of reported deaths.
Advocacy organization Border Angels estimates that roughly 10,000 people have died attempting to cross the border since 1994. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 8,050 migrant deaths were recorded between 1998 and 2020. Officials caution that such figures reflect only confirmed cases and likely undercount total fatalities because some remains are never recovered or identified.
Mexican government data compiled by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs documented rising deaths on the Mexican side of the border in the late 1990s, including 87 in 1996, 149 in 1997, 329 in 1998, 358 in 1999, and 499 in 2000. Authorities on both sides of the border also report thousands of annual rescues of migrants in distress. U.S. officials said 3,417 migrants were rescued in fiscal year 2017.
Law enforcement agencies describe human smuggling operations, commonly referred to as coyotes, as structured networks with defined roles. Recruiters seek clients within migrant communities, while coordinators arrange transportation, lodging near the border, and timing for crossings. Observers positioned near checkpoints monitor law enforcement activity and communicate with guides. After crossing, migrants are often transported to so-called safe houses before continuing their journeys.
Officials say the growth of smuggling networks corresponds with increased enforcement and surveillance along the border. Security measures expanded significantly following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when federal authorities heightened monitoring of entry routes and transportation networks. Analysts say stricter enforcement can push migrants toward more remote and hazardous routes, increasing reliance on professional smugglers and elevating risks.
Smuggling fees vary widely depending on route, method, and destination. Researchers and law enforcement agencies report that organized smuggling operations can generate substantial revenue annually. Costs may include transportation, forged documentation, communications equipment, and temporary housing. Authorities say migrants frequently incur significant debt to pay smuggling fees.
Economic hardship, violence, and limited opportunities in migrants’ home countries remain key factors driving migration toward the United States, according to researchers and international organizations. Despite heightened risks, many migrants continue to attempt crossings, including maritime routes that authorities say are particularly dangerous because vessels are often overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lack safety equipment.
Western crossing corridors continue to draw large numbers of migrants, particularly near Tijuana and at ports of entry such as San Ysidro and El Chaparral.
U.S. officials reiterated that unauthorized crossings, whether by land or sea, can be life-threatening and urged migrants to pursue lawful migration pathways where available.
