Border Patrol Issues Urgent Warning After Cartels Target Rideshare Apps
U.S. Border Patrol officials are warning rideshare drivers in Texas that transnational criminal organizations are allegedly using mobile applications to arrange transportation for illegal aliens involved in smuggling operations.
Officials said criminals are using legitimate services, including rideshare platforms, to move people away from border areas while attempting to avoid direct contact with law enforcement.
The warning came from the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector, which said criminal smugglers are using third-party accounts to arrange pickups through rideshare apps.
Officials said those pickups have occurred in isolated desert areas, remote highway shoulders near the border wall, and commercial staging locations.
Authorities said the tactic allows criminal organizations to use ordinary drivers rather than placing their own members in direct contact with illegal aliens being transported.
El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jesse Munoz warned that cartel-connected smugglers are putting both drivers and passengers at risk by using legitimate transportation services for alleged smuggling operations.
He said drivers accepting suspicious trips could face detention, asset forfeiture, and investigation while federal agents determine whether they played a role in a smuggling network.
Border Patrol officials advised rideshare drivers to watch for possible indicators of human smuggling.
Officials urged drivers to be alert for unusual circumstances, such as pickups arranged through someone else’s account, overcrowded vehicles, passengers appearing distressed, or individuals arriving from remote areas in conditions consistent with recent border crossings.
Officials also advised drivers to cancel suspicious rides, move to a safe location, use in-app safety tools to document concerns, and report suspected criminal activity.
Federal authorities said individuals who knowingly participate in human smuggling operations may face felony charges for alien smuggling and harboring.
Officials emphasized that drivers should be aware of the risks involved when accepting suspicious fares, even if they believe they are simply providing a transportation service.
The warning comes as federal officials continue addressing illegal immigration and border-related criminal activity.
According to a Fox News report citing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data, Border Patrol apprehensions in June were 94 percent lower than the monthly average during the Biden administration.
Despite the decline in illegal crossings, officials said criminal organizations continue adapting their methods to move illegal aliens after they enter the country.
Last year, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported an increase in U.S. residents being charged under state smuggling laws.
In some cases, officials said residents responded to social media advertisements offering money to transport people from areas near the southern border.
Defense attorneys told NewsNation that some individuals arrested said they did not realize they could be violating the law, with payments reportedly ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per passenger.
Authorities said criminal organizations often rely on financial incentives to recruit drivers.
San Antonio defense attorney Mary Pietrazek told NewsNation that some people may not view transporting illegal aliens already inside the country as smuggling, but federal and state laws can still apply depending on the circumstances.
Rideshare companies have also been contacted about the warnings.
Uber told Fox News that driver safety is a top priority and pointed to features that allow drivers to cancel rides.
Spokespersons for Uber and Lyft did not immediately respond to NewsNation’s request for comment regarding the Border Patrol warning.
The U.S. Border Patrol is encouraging drivers who encounter suspicious activity to report it to law enforcement.
Officials said suspected human smuggling can be reported through Border Patrol channels, while emergencies should be reported by calling 911.
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