Mexican Cartels and Immigration Concerns by Michelle Kim

Sinaloa Cartel: The Biggest Drug Cartel

mikim19 — 2025-02-10 15:37:56 UTC

The Sinaloa Cartel originated in Sinaloa but is now one of the biggest drug trafficking cartel in the Western Hemisphere. They have a history of smuggling drugs from marijuana and cocaine to more. The Justice Department has worked to charge and stop further actions from this organization for their detrimental effects on US citizens. In recent years, the Sinaloa Cartel has largely contributed to the US fentanyl crisis.

Tucson Station

espantoja — 2025-02-10 15:39:55 UTC

The Tucson Station is the largest border patrol station in the United States. It's located in Arizona and patrols the border east and west of Sasabe, Arizona. The station patrols 23.5 miles of border on its own. This is a big range or a single station. To put it into perspective, the entirety of the border is about 1,954 miles.

Brown University Migration Project

mikim19 — 2025-02-10 15:44:57 UTC

Brown University started a project in 1982 to collect data, information, and resources for Mexican migrants. They have research locations in both Mexico and the U.S. where they focus on developing and testing migration theories related to climate, crime, and violence. Most of the data they collect is through selected household and communities that they interview and survey.

Trump's ICE push

espantoja — 2025-02-10 15:46:28 UTC

Some of the largest Immigration enforcement operations are very recent and are under Trump's new presidency. These operations have started to spread through major U.S. cities. Many people are being arrested and deported back to their home countries in large numbers.

HIAS Mexico

mikim19 — 2025-02-10 15:49:44 UTC

HIAS is an organization that supports refugees living in Mexico's border countries. Displaced people are struggling to find shelter, basic necessities, and safety. All services are free and available for anyone in need. HIAS also has a specific focus on mental health and female safety. Their goal is to aid refugees and eventually help them resettle after displacement.

ICE

mikim19 — 2025-02-10 15:59:58 UTC

ICE is an organization that finds illegal immigrants in order to deport them back to their country. Before they are deported, ICE holds them in ICE detention centers in over 105 locations in the US. ICE has faced a lot of controversy for their inhumane and violent treatment. Many illegal immigrants seek refugee in the U.S. and are scared to be deported.

Correlation Between Drug Cartels and Violence Rates

mikim19 — 2025-02-18 02:38:21 UTC

Conflicts between non-state armed groups have led to tens of thousands of deaths in Mexico. These rates have been seen to be increasing due to an increase in violence between various cartel groups. The biggest criminal organizations responsible for these deaths include the Jalisco, Juarez, Los Zetas, and Sinaloa cartels.

Ecuador

mikim19 — 2025-02-18 02:46:37 UTC

Ecuador has become a fighting zone for Mexico’s CJNG and Sinaloa Cartel due to its gang violence and an 800% homicide surge in five years. Local gangs like Los Lobos and Los Choneros aid the cartels in controlling drug routes, extortion, and illegal mining. Their power was prominent in the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. In response, President Noboa declared a state of emergency and deployed the military to restore order.

Migrant Smuggling

espantoja — 2025-02-18 11:12:53 UTC

One of the many ways immigrants are able to enter the United States is through migrant smuggling. People pay large sums of money, which can range from 10,000 up to 50,000 dollars, to organizations and sometimes even cartel groups to smuggle them over the border. They do this by using trailer trucks, hidden trails, and bribing authorities. Major cities along the border oftentimes have routine operations of migrant smuggling in place, especially with smuggling groups of higher power.

Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán

espantoja — 2025-02-18 13:35:40 UTC

El Chapo is one of Mexico's most known drug lords. He was head of the Sinaloa cartel, which, as previously mentioned, is the world's most powerful drug-trafficking organization. He entered the drug trade as a teenager and founded the Sinaloa cartel himself in 1989. Other than his drug-trafficking operations, he is also known for his violent actions and escapes from maximum-security prisons. He was a very influential figure while head of this cartel.