Turkish migrants are entering the US in large numbers through the southern border, aided by smugglers using social media to promote easy entry through California, according to reports.

The Busiest Sector of Illegal Entry

The US Customs and Border Protection website data indicates that there were only slightly over 1,400 Turkish migrant encounters along the southern border in 2021. This number jumped to 15,445 the following year and reached 15,542 in 2023. As of this year, border agents have encountered 7,486 migrants from Turkey who entered the US.

In 2023, 9,154 Turkish migrants, accounting for 41% of the total 15,542, entered the US through the San Diego sector, making it the busiest sector for illegal entry that year.

Social Media Smugglers Luring Immigrants of Easy Entry

According to The New York Post, translated Telegram channels shed light on how smugglers facilitate migrants' entry into the US from Mexico. The smugglers offer routes via social media, starting from Cancun to Tijuana, Mexico, which include flights and onward travel into the US, reportedly urging migrants not to delay their dreams in advertisements for these routes. The posts also contain photos and videos as evidence of successful smuggling operations, and one reads: "Our passenger passed in Cancunda without any problem. If anyone wants to go, contact me." One video displayed migrants arriving in Cancun, enjoying hotel stays, and displaying stamped passports. Additionally, the videos allegedly depict migrants being escorted by smugglers along a route from Tijuana to the border.

READ ALSO: As Biden Speeds Up Asylum Process, Bigger Crackdowns Are Being Proposed for Migrants Entering US Border

The Case Rate of Special Interest Migrants

Sources within the Border Patrol confirmed to The Post that Turkish migrants are classified as special interest migrants.

Special Interest Aliens (SIAs) are illegal aliens from countries that raise potential national security concerns. During processing, the Department of Homeland Security is supposed to require additional vetting. However, this process has proven challenging because many countries do not share databases or records with the US.

US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens recently posted that more than 52,000 unique interest aliens had been apprehended by border patrol agents since the start of FY24 in October, noting that nearly 88% of these apprehensions occurred in the San Diego sector.

US Border's Lack of Security and Background Checking

A Turkish migrant, who revealed to Fox News that he paid approximately $10,000 to a cartel after selling all his possessions to travel to the United States, said that Americans should be concerned about the lack of security at the southern border, expressing worry about the real intentions of every individual crossing the border.

The migrant informed Fox News that his journey to the US spanned 24 days, passing through Qatar, Dubai, Egypt, South Africa, and Brazil before reaching Central America on his way to the US.

San Diego County has emerged as the busiest sector in the nation for illegal crossings, with 37,370 individuals entered in April, as per the US Customs and Border Patrol report, and 120 Chinese migrants entered California just on Thursday.

Illegal immigration has also become a key concern for the upcoming 2024 presidential election this fall.

RELATED ARTICLE: NY Home Depot Deploys Guards, Dogs to Watch for Thieves, Deter Aggressive Migrants Targeting Shoppers