Human smugglers are now using videos to teach migrants how to jump on and off moving trains in a dangerous attempt to enter the U.S. undetected, according to a memo obtained by NewsNation. This new tactic, known as “Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures” (TTP), has become a daily occurrence at the southern border, posing significant risks to those involved. Border Patrol agents report that the more money migrants pay to the cartels, the better they are prepared for the treacherous journey.
Migrants are being sent instructional videos, and some are even provided with protective gear like helmets and rash guards to help them survive the perilous journey. Many are boarding a notorious train known as La Bestia, or the Train of Death, in southern Mexico, which travels to the U.S.-Mexico border. This journey is extremely hazardous, with migrants risking life and limb to reach the U.S.
Last month, law enforcement found 23 migrants hidden inside a train in Laredo, Texas. The conditions were dire, with migrants often locked inside in sweltering triple-digit heat without any means of escape. Border Patrol has reported several incidents where migrants have been severely injured, including cases of limb amputations, or even killed while attempting this dangerous route. In response, agents are now using additional tools to ensure the safe extraction of migrants in such situations.
In Del Rio, Texas, some migrants are also boarding Amtrak trains after receiving tickets from smugglers. To counter this, Border Patrol agents are conducting regular immigration checks on these trains and discovering individuals who are in the U.S. illegally.