into a new phase illegal immigration Migrants coming from India and other countries are having to pay to enter the United States. Smuggling networks Hefty fees for travel packages that include airline tickets, bus rides, and hotel stays US-Mexico borderThese routes include charter flights Heading to Central America, migrants then travel by land to the border. Biden administration Regional governments and travel companies are working together to stem the flow, and U.S. visas are being revoked for owners and executives of charter airlines and other companies suspected of aiding smuggling.
Here are some frequently asked questions based on the Reuters investigation:
What are the new routes for illegal immigrants?
One route begins in West Africa, with migrants paying up to $10,000 for commercial flights with multiple stops to Nicaragua before traveling by land to the US, according to a Reuters investigation. Another route, serving migrants from India, offers charter flights to Central America and a land transfer to the US border at a cost of between $72,000 and $96,000 per person, often with full payment after arriving in the US.
Nicaragua has emerged as a new entry point for many migrants, with President Daniel Ortega’s government allowing people from any part of the world to fly directly in exchange for cash payments. A Reuters investigation found the US has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on Nicaraguan officials and impose sanctions on companies linked to the government because of irregular migration and repressive policies.
How were these new routes investigated?
On July 15, when Legend Airlines’ Airbus A340 landed at San Salvador airport after an 18-hour journey from the United Arab Emirates, the crew sensed something was wrong. Salvadoran authorities, suspicious of the nature of the flight, refused to connect the jet bridge, leaving about 300 passengers, all Indian nationals, stranded on the plane. According to three former crew members who spoke anonymously to Reuters, several passengers admitted their intentions to travel to Mexico and then enter the US illegally.
Salvadoran authorities and their US counterparts grew suspicious after noticing an unusual pattern of charter planes arriving in El Salvador carrying Indian nationals claiming to be tourists but with little luggage for long stays. Nearly all of the passengers landing in San Salvador later crossed the US border illegally, Reuters reports.
What are the costs of these new smuggling routes?
Migrants from India pay between Rs 6 million ($72,000) and Rs 8 million ($96,000) for packages that include charter flights to Central America and overland transfers to the U.S. border, according to Indian court documents and Gujarat Deputy Superintendent of Police K.T. Kamaria.
How have US authorities responded to this new smuggling tactic?
The US administration is working closely with regional governments and travel companies to stem the flow of migrants. These measures include revoking US visas of owners and executives of companies suspected of helping smuggling and warning commercial airlines to keep an eye out for passengers who intend to migrate illegally.
What are the broader implications of these smuggling routes for US immigration policy?
These new routes complicate the enforcement of US immigration laws, especially as the Biden administration faces criticism and political pressure over high border crossings. The administration attributes the increase in migration to global economic and political instability, while opponents argue that current policies encourage illegal migration.
How are these new routes bypassing traditional migration barriers?
The new smuggling routes bypass visa requirements for direct flights to Mexico and the dangerous Darien Gap trek between Colombia and Panama. Instead, migrants are sent to Central American countries such as Nicaragua and El Salvador, from where they travel by land to the US border.
What is Nicaragua’s role in these smuggling operations?
Blas Nunez-Neto, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy, identified Nicaragua as a new entry point for many migrants. The Nicaraguan government, led by President Daniel Ortega, has been accused of exploiting the migration flow by allowing anyone from around the world to enter the country in exchange for cash payments.
What impact has this had on passengers stranded in these operations?
Many immigrants like Gurpreet Singh from India have faced multiple failed attempts to enter the US, often resulting in financial ruin and legal troubles. Singh, who paid $72,000 for a smuggled package, has been deported from multiple countries and now faces fraud charges in India.
Here are some frequently asked questions based on the Reuters investigation:
What are the new routes for illegal immigrants?
One route begins in West Africa, with migrants paying up to $10,000 for commercial flights with multiple stops to Nicaragua before traveling by land to the US, according to a Reuters investigation. Another route, serving migrants from India, offers charter flights to Central America and a land transfer to the US border at a cost of between $72,000 and $96,000 per person, often with full payment after arriving in the US.
Nicaragua has emerged as a new entry point for many migrants, with President Daniel Ortega’s government allowing people from any part of the world to fly directly in exchange for cash payments. A Reuters investigation found the US has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on Nicaraguan officials and impose sanctions on companies linked to the government because of irregular migration and repressive policies.
How were these new routes investigated?
On July 15, when Legend Airlines’ Airbus A340 landed at San Salvador airport after an 18-hour journey from the United Arab Emirates, the crew sensed something was wrong. Salvadoran authorities, suspicious of the nature of the flight, refused to connect the jet bridge, leaving about 300 passengers, all Indian nationals, stranded on the plane. According to three former crew members who spoke anonymously to Reuters, several passengers admitted their intentions to travel to Mexico and then enter the US illegally.
Salvadoran authorities and their US counterparts grew suspicious after noticing an unusual pattern of charter planes arriving in El Salvador carrying Indian nationals claiming to be tourists but with little luggage for long stays. Nearly all of the passengers landing in San Salvador later crossed the US border illegally, Reuters reports.
What are the costs of these new smuggling routes?
Migrants from India pay between Rs 6 million ($72,000) and Rs 8 million ($96,000) for packages that include charter flights to Central America and overland transfers to the U.S. border, according to Indian court documents and Gujarat Deputy Superintendent of Police K.T. Kamaria.
How have US authorities responded to this new smuggling tactic?
The US administration is working closely with regional governments and travel companies to stem the flow of migrants. These measures include revoking US visas of owners and executives of companies suspected of helping smuggling and warning commercial airlines to keep an eye out for passengers who intend to migrate illegally.
What are the broader implications of these smuggling routes for US immigration policy?
These new routes complicate the enforcement of US immigration laws, especially as the Biden administration faces criticism and political pressure over high border crossings. The administration attributes the increase in migration to global economic and political instability, while opponents argue that current policies encourage illegal migration.
How are these new routes bypassing traditional migration barriers?
The new smuggling routes bypass visa requirements for direct flights to Mexico and the dangerous Darien Gap trek between Colombia and Panama. Instead, migrants are sent to Central American countries such as Nicaragua and El Salvador, from where they travel by land to the US border.
What is Nicaragua’s role in these smuggling operations?
Blas Nunez-Neto, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy, identified Nicaragua as a new entry point for many migrants. The Nicaraguan government, led by President Daniel Ortega, has been accused of exploiting the migration flow by allowing anyone from around the world to enter the country in exchange for cash payments.
What impact has this had on passengers stranded in these operations?
Many immigrants like Gurpreet Singh from India have faced multiple failed attempts to enter the US, often resulting in financial ruin and legal troubles. Singh, who paid $72,000 for a smuggled package, has been deported from multiple countries and now faces fraud charges in India.
