Self-deportation now being assisted by smugglers

"It’s a border that, in many ways, has been totally transformed. The presence of the U.S. military assisting border agents, not to mention the calm.

The latest figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show around 28,000 encounters last month. Compare that to more than 256,000 the previous year. We secured the border. We’ve reduced border crossings by 96%.

And now, another remarkable trend. I’ve been a journalist for over 25 years, but I never thought I’d see this. Return packages. Smugglers are now offering packages for people to go back home.

Self-deportation is now being assisted by smugglers and by what the White House calls the CBP Home app. This video shows more than 200 migrants being taken to a prison in El Salvador, which is believed to be a factor in rising fear among undocumented migrants."

In response to the strict immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration, an unusual phenomenon has emerged: human traffickers, known as "coyotes," are now offering services to help migrants return to their countries of origin. This shift is due to the difficulties migrants face in entering or remaining in the United States, leading some to choose to go back home.

For instance, in Panama, it has been reported that traffickers charge around $550 per person to transport migrants back to Colombia, including basic lodging and meals. This trend reflects the desperation of some migrants who, unable to settle in the United States, seek to return to their home countries.

Additionally, traffickers are using digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and Facebook to offer "travel packages" that include detailed instructions on how to cross the border illegally. These packages can cost up to $10,000 and include routes and methods for evading border authorities.

This shift in traffickers' operations highlights the complexity and risks associated with restrictive immigration policies.