Unlike human trafficking which often involves force or exploitation, human smuggling, also referred to as alien smuggling, is generally voluntary. There are a myriad of reasons why individuals desire to live in a different country. Sometimes, individuals desire to raise their standard of living. A work permit is required for immigrants to be employed in the US, which can be difficult to attain. Other reasons why individuals immigrate to the U.S. include a desire to be reunited with family in the U.S. or as an asylum refugee, seeking political freedom. Many immigrants that subject themselves to alien smuggling, or human smuggling, basically desire to improve their current situation. The price of smuggling can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars per individual. When illegal immigrants attempt to cross the border their lives are also at stake. On a global level it is estimated that alien smugglers make almost $10 billion annually. One of the most popular destinations for alien or human smuggling is the United States. Illegal immigrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border through the desert or mountains tend to be guided by an individual who is usually referred to as a coyote. A coyote is more knowledgeable about what paths to take to get across the border and knows the “tricks of the trade.” Coyotes work independently or may be part of a bigger network. Payment to human smugglers may be made upfront or after the individual trying to cross the border reaches their final destination. Some alien smugglers or coyotes make a living from getting illegal immigrants across the border because it is a lucrative and growing business. Other smugglers do this on a part-time basis to supplement their income.

Most alien smugglers or coyotes conduct their business in an ethical manner, but there are those who will occasionally strand illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border. These cases most likely occur in the mountains or deserts near the U.S.-Mexico border. Thousands of illegal immigrants have died from dehydration in the Arizona desert as a result of being stranded by their coyotes or getting lost. There have even been cases where the coyotes have killed the illegal immigrants because they could not afford to render payment for the service provided. Illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500, sometimes less or more depending on the smuggler. Other methods that human smugglers use to transport illegal immigrants are tractor-trailers, railroad cars and vessel cargo containers. Sometimes the voyage may last hours and other times even weeks. Food, water and space are limited and the conditions faced by the immigrants tend to be unpleasant. Coyotes are not the only ones involved in alien smuggling. There are some corrupt Border Patrol agents that smuggle immigrants as well. Last month two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California along with seven suspected ring members were arrested for smuggling immigrants. Richard Elizalda, who was among those arrested, had been a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer for nine years. Authorities discovered that he had been allowing cars with illegal immigrants to enter the U.S., without asking for any documentation at his inspection lane. The ring had been operating for the last two years and Elizalda received up to $1,000 for each illegal immigrant that he allowed through. There are many measures in place at the inspection booths to prevent corrupt behavior such as rotating officers among booths. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection prohibit cell phone usage to prevent communication among officers and ring members, yet they still manage to smuggle immigrants. Nonetheless, at some point corrupt officers usually get caught.

The penalties for alien smuggling can be found in Section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, under the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS. After the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 was introduced the number of sentences for smuggling offenses has risen. When smugglers are caught, some of the charges they can face include conspiracy, harboring, and transporting illegal aliens into the country. Each possible charge is considered a felony. If the smugglers are found guilty, each felony could result in up to 10 years in federal prison. Some argue that the current sentences for smuggling offenses are not strict enough. Under the immigration reform bill of the House of Representatives, the sentences for smuggling offenses would be stricter. For example, previously one smuggler was sentenced to 37 months for the death of one illegal immigrant and the serious injury of 12 illegal immigrants who were being transported in a Suburban that crashed. The bill under the House of Representatives would make that type of sentence anywhere from a mandatory 10 years to possible life in federal prison. However, U.S. laws also limit the sentencing of international smugglers due to national jurisdiction treaties.