New revelations have emerged about human smugglers using social media platforms to advertise their services. Former acting director of United States National Intelligence, Richard Grenell, has claimed that coyotes in Guatemala are openly advertising on Facebook to help people illegally enter the United States for a fee of $10,000.
Grenell has accused President Joe Biden and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg of not taking any action, stating, “Biden and Zuckerberg don’t care.” The revelation adds to the growing concern over the use of social media by smugglers. Grenell revealed the information while in Guatemala, where he met with President Alejandro Giammattei to discuss measures to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.
Grenell’s allegations also include the Biden administration using the State Department to intimidate Guatemalans from criticizing left-wing policies. He has called on the authorities to conduct an investigation into their actions, saying, “It’s un-American and just may be illegal.”
On social media, cartels have been allowed to advertise their services openly on various platforms, including TikTok, where smugglers have used it to recruit drivers. Investigative journalist Tayler Hanson uncovered a post with a video that showed the process of getting past border control, the operation itself, and then the payments afterward. The video contained a message that read, “I need drivers based in Texas. Only serious enquires. Good pay: $10-20k USD in 3 hours.”
Facebook-owned platforms have also been used for human trafficking and smuggling. In the past, unscrupulous employment agencies advertised workers on Facebook and Instagram, using their photos, personal details and skill sets.
President Giammattei has been critical of the Biden administration’s immigration policies in the past. In 2021, he called on the administration to clarify its message on immigration. He suggested that “a lukewarm message is going to do nothing but create misunderstandings. It could be said in good faith, but there will be people who misinterpret it.”
