Mexican drug cartels are using a new tactic to control migrant crossings into the United States through Texas – colored bracelets. According to authorities, these bracelets are being placed on migrants as they cross illegally, signifying a more organized effort by the cartels to regulate who enters the country.
In the city of Eagle Pass, Texas, blue wristbands with names were discovered among piles of trash and clothing, a sight that authorities had not seen before. Lieutenant Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety stated that these wristbands are similar to ones found on migrants crossing through the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. This indicates a higher level of control and coordination by the cartels.
Olivarez explained that the cartels often use these bracelets as proof of payment to smugglers. Different colored bracelets designate specific crossing areas – for example, migrants with a blue bracelet may only cross in one area, while those with a red bracelet may be limited to another area. This system allows the cartels to maintain control over the flow of migrants across the border.
The area of the border near the Rio Grande Valley and Eagle Pass is largely controlled by the Cartel del Noreste (CDN), the successor to the brutal Los Zetas cartel. These cartels have long charged migrants for safe passage into the U.S. Those who try to evade these fees and cross independently are putting themselves at risk, Olivarez warned.
Despite a decrease in migrant encounters in Texas, authorities are still encountering around 2,000 illegal immigrants daily at the southwest border, with 300 of them passing through Eagle Pass. Of particular concern is the rise in special interest migrants and unaccompanied children making the journey. Some migrants are traveling from as far as Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Africa.
Special interest migrants are individuals whose travel patterns suggest a potential national security risk to the U.S. or its interests, according to the Department of Homeland Security. While this designation does not automatically label them as terrorists, it does indicate the need for further scrutiny and investigation into their backgrounds.
The use of bracelets by Mexican drug cartels to control migrant crossings highlights the complex and dangerous situation at the border. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and enforcement efforts to ensure the safety and security of both migrants and U.S. citizens.