Mexican cartels have sharply increased their smuggling fees as illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border decline, according to a new report. A migrant recently caught near McAllen, Texas, revealed that he agreed to pay $18,000 to be smuggled into the U.S., with $12,000 upfront and the remaining $6,000 still owed. This increase in costs is linked to tighter border security and a significant drop in migrant crossings.
According to U.S. Border Patrol data, encounters at the southern border fell by 76% in January 2025 compared to the previous year. On one day alone, only 200 migrants were encountered, marking a 15-year low. Officials believe that with fewer migrants crossing independently, smuggling operations have become more organized and expensive. Law enforcement has ramped up efforts to target these networks, using drones, scent-tracking dogs, and aerial surveillance to intercept illegal crossings.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Lt. Christopher Olivarez noted that increased federal support has improved enforcement efficiency. Meanwhile, a joint operation between the U.S. and Mexico recently led to the arrest of two suspected smugglers in Juarez, Chihuahua. Authorities allege that the group smuggled individuals, including children, from Central America while also engaging in kidnapping and extortion. The operation highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational smuggling networks.
Texas remains a focal point in the federal government’s immigration enforcement, housing the highest number of detained migrants in the U.S. Eight of its detention centers rank among the top 20 facilities holding at least 800 detainees each. Governor Greg Abbott continues to push for border security investment through Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar initiative that has led to over 50,000 criminal arrests since 2021. Although Abbott has sought federal reimbursement for Texas’ $11 billion spending on border enforcement, his administration has no plans to scale back the program.
The rising costs of smuggling reflect the growing risks and crackdowns on illegal crossings, as authorities intensify their focus on dismantling criminal networks profiting from migrant desperation.