Homeland Security launches new effort to combat human smuggling groups at southern border

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

By Brian Brant

(WASHINGTON) The Department of Homeland Security has launched an effort to target transnational groups smuggling immigrants across the country’s southern border, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Tuesday.

The effort called "Operation Sentinel" will partner the State Department, FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration to combat criminal smuggling organizations' access to profit, NBC News reports. 

"We know all too well that these organizations put profit over human life with devastating consequences," said Mayorkas.

The Biden administration has kept intact a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order, known as "Title 42", which will deport families and single adult migrants who try to enter the U.S. without a visa.

In addition to helping stop the spread of COVID-19, as originally intended, immigration experts have warned that this order has incentivized human smuggling organizations by allowing these groups to charge high prices to bring immigrants undetected into the U.S.

"We will continue to exercise that public health authority that is authorized by CDC until that is no longer needed," he added. "At the same time we are addressing the transnational criminal organizations that exploit the migrants and their vulnerabilities. We have a responsibility to both elements."

Troy Miller, acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said the agency has rescued over 4,700, who were abandoned by smugglers, along the southwest border since October.

"Transnational criminal organizations routinely attempt to smuggle people in groups but often end up abandoning women and children when they can't keep up," Miller said.

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