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Human Smugglers Spread False Hope to Migrants Through Facebook

Coyotes are using Facebook to tell Central Americans interested in crossing the U.S.-Mexico border that it’s a “100 percent” safe journey.

Deanna Garcia

Apr 08, 2021

Central American migrants crossing the Suchiate River between the Guatemalan and Mexican border. Photo: Oliver de Ros

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Human smugglers, also known as coyotes, are using Facebook to tell Central Americans interested in crossing the U.S.-Mexico border that it’s a “100 percent” safe journey. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials, immigration experts and lawyers, smugglers have been using social media platforms to spread misinformation on how the Biden administration is welcoming all migrants. NBC News identified these posts from public Facebook pages with the names “Migrant from Various Countries in Mexico” and “Migrants in the Mexico-U.S.A. Border Awaiting Hearing.”  One of the posts reads, “The journey is safe and reliable and the price is $4,500 leaving from Monterrey to San Antonio, Texas.” NBC News

Two Yemeni Men Arrested at Border 

Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that U.S. border agents have arrested two Yemeni men who were on a terror watch list and attempted to cross the border. One was arrested in January, while the other was arrested in March near a port of entry in California. According to a CBP press release, the men were on a U.S. government watch list for terrorism suspects and a “no-fly” list. A CBP spokesperson said that it’s “very uncommon” for border agents to come across people suspected of terrorism at the border. Reuters

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Biden Thanks New U.S. Citizens in Official Video

President Joe Biden has released an official video message to new U.S. naturalized citizens, thanking them for “choosing us.” He went on to reference the “courage” these immigrants have when coming to the U.S. and his how he is a descendant of Irish immigrants. “First and foremost, I want to thank you for choosing us and believing that America is worthy of your aspirations,” Biden said in the video. He also referred to the U.S. as a “great nation of immigrants.” The video was released by the White House and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services so new citizens and the public can watch it at home. The Associated Press

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