Teens recruited to transport migrants from Mexican border 

Human smugglers are recruiting American teens to drive undocumented migrants crossing the Mexican border, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

One in four drivers intercepted while smuggling migrants by Border Patrol agents in the Fiscal Year 2021 were underage. In one recent case in Sierra Vista Arizona, a freshman high schooler as young as 14 was caught transporting migrants. In that case, the youth was previously charged as an adult, but ultimately pleaded guilty in juvenile court to felony fleeing and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. 

From interviews both government and law enforcement officials, migrant advocates, attorneys, and local residents, Reuters found that the high schoolers learn of the work through social media or online recruiters. With each migrant they transport, the teens can earn hundreds of dollars. 

Federal authorities say that job is dangerous. As law enforcement officers ramp up their crackdown on drivers, teen drivers tend to flee at high speeds at the sight of authorities, leading to pursuits and crashes, reported Border Patrol officials. 

In 2021, a 14-year-old juvenile driver fled from agents and crashed into a Border Patrol van. Similarly, in 2020, an 18-year-old driver crashed in El Paso after being chased by the police, killing four teens and three migrants. 

"They're told that if they go fast enough we're going to stop pursuing them," patrol agent Gerardo Galvan of Sunland Park said. 

Smugglers also tell the teens that they will not face legal consequences because they are minors, Reuters found while investigating the subject. 

If the minor has not been in trouble before, most of those caught transporting migrants will be placed in probation until their 21st birthday, said Assistant Federal Public Defender Amanda Skinner. 

"They're easy prey, and they're being used,” said Activist Irma Cruz, campaign director for Border Network for Human Rights. 

On May 23, the Biden administratin will lift the Trump-era policy Title 42, which allowed officials to dismiss most asylum claims to stop the spread of the pandemic. As a result, officials are expecting a record-breaking increase of migrants crossing the border. 

Border Patrol authorities believe this increase in migrants could lead to a rise in teen drivers. "The last thing we want to do is criminalize our youth," said Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea.