Illegal-smuggling coyotes now advertising at Canada border amid Trump migrant crackdown: report

A troubling report has emerged detailing how Canadian human traffickers are openly advertising alleged human smuggling operations on TikTok, targeting individuals seeking to illegally cross into the United States via the northern border. Screenshots captured from the platform show messages like “cad to usa” and “dm me” from accounts such as @helper4731, which appear to offer illegal crossing services. However, by the time investigators attempted to access these accounts, many had already been taken down, leaving the legitimacy of these advertisements unconfirmed. This revelation has sparked concerns among U.S. officials, who have long warned about the vulnerabilities of the northern border. Unlike the heavily monitored southern border, the northern border, stretching across vast, remote areas, is far less secure, making it an attractive route for smugglers.

Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican and chairman of the Northern Border Security Caucus, highlighted the risks associated with these operations. “The danger is they’re gonna go where we’re not,” he told Fox News, emphasizing that the northern border has seen hundreds of crossings by individuals on the terrorist watch list. Zinke also noted the sheer vastness of the border, pointing out that driving east to west across Montana alone takes 10 hours, with much of the territory left unprotected. “There’s a lot of border and a lot of distance between officers,” he said, underscoring the challenges of securing such a remote and expansive region. This lack of surveillance has created opportunities for smugglers to operate with relative impunity.

The New York Post uncovered at least half a dozen TikTok accounts advertising smuggling services, primarily targeting migrants from India. These accounts allegedly promise “safe,” same-day crossings for $4,000 or more, preying on individuals desperate to enter the U.S. Data from the U.S. government revealed that of nearly 1.8 million single adults from India encountered by Border Patrol agents last year, over 150,000 entered through Canada. This trend suggests a growing preference among Indian migrants for the northern border, possibly due to its perceived ease of crossing compared to the heavily fortified southern border. However, the operation remains dangerous, with smugglers exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit.

In response to these findings, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a New York Republican, has called on the Justice Department to investigate TikTok and other platforms linked to human trafficking. Her demand comes as part of a broader push to hold social media companies accountable for their role in facilitating illegal activities. While most illegal crossings still occur at the southern border, officials have long warned of an increasing trend of migrants attempting to enter via the northern border. This shift has raised alarms, as the northern border’s remote nature makes it harder to detect and deter illegal crossings.

TikTok, a Chinese-owned app, has faced scrutiny for its role in enabling illegal activities. Beyond human smuggling, the platform has been used by some migrants to flaunt their illegal activities. Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan migrant, notoriously bragged about earning $1,000 a week on TikTok by posting videos encouraging his compatriots to squat in vacant U.S. homes and mock American taxpayers. His actions eventually caught up with him, as a judge ordered his deportation after he failed to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-ins. This case highlights how platforms like TikTok have become tools for migrants to exploit the system and generate revenue from illegal activities.

The report also points to a broader trend of social media being weaponized to facilitate migration. In 2023, the BBC uncovered hundreds of videos on TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp promoting human smuggling services for migrants seeking to cross into the U.S. from Mexico. These advertisements surged after the Biden-Harris administration allowed Title 42 to expire, a public health order that had been used to turn away migrants at the border. The BBC described the situation as “business is booming” for smugglers, who saw an opportunity to capitalize on the policy shift. Since then, the U.S. has seen a shift in migration patterns, with more migrants attempting to enter through the northern border.

While illegal crossings at the southern border have plummeted since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in late January—down 93% from peaks during the Biden administration—officials remain vigilant about the northern border. The daily average of known “gotaways” has dropped significantly, but concerns persist about the aldığıweb of Title 42 and the uptick in northern border crossings. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of managing U.S. borders and the creative ways smugglers exploit vulnerabilities, both physical and technological. As authorities work to crack down on illegal crossings, the role of social media platforms like TikTok in facilitating these operations remains a critical issue requiring attention and action.