Alien Smuggling
 Unlike human trafficking which includes some type of force
and/or exploitation, human smuggling is voluntary. The reasons why an individual
crosses the borders to different countries varies. Reason are normally to raise
their standard of living, to be reunited with family or experience political
freedom. Human smuggling is basically done to improve the 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 human smuggling brings
in almost $10 billion annually. One of the most popular destinations 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 (partial or full) or may be made when the individual trying to
cross the border reaches their final destination. Some human 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 smugglers or coyotes conduct their business in an ethical manner, but there
are those who will occasionally strand the 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. One of the arrested, Richard Elizalda, had been a U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officer for nine years. Authorities discovered
that he had been waving cars full with immigrants 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 like 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. However,
at one point corrupt officers usually get caught.
The penalties for smuggling can be found in Section 274 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act. 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, transporting and bringing 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, 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
House’s bill would make that type of sentence anywhere from a mandatory 10 years
to possible life in federal prison. U.S. laws also limit the sentencing of
international smugglers because the law can only reach so far.
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