The crisis at the Southwest border is not just a matter of national security and humanitarian concern; it’s also a massive economic boon for Mexican drug cartels. Fueled by the policies of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, these cartels have seized operational control of the border, transforming it into a highly profitable enterprise. Every dollar they earn is stained with the cost of American lives and livelihoods, as well as the suffering of vulnerable migrants.
For years, the Southwest border has been a focal point of illegal immigration, but under Secretary Mayorkas, the situation has spiraled into what many are calling a full-blown crisis. The numbers are stark: millions of encounters, hundreds of thousands of known “gotaways,” and a record surge in fentanyl poisonings across the United States. This isn’t a mere surge; it’s a systemic breakdown directly linked to the current administration’s border policies.
While some may attempt to downplay the severity by citing fluctuations in daily apprehension numbers, the reality remains grim. Even by the standards of previous administrations, the current daily averages are alarmingly high. Furthermore, the increase in inadmissible aliens arriving at ports of entry, facilitated by policies like the CBP One app and parole programs, is simply shifting the problem rather than solving it. These policies, offering what critics call a “no-questions-asked release” into the U.S., are seen as an open invitation for those without a legitimate basis to enter the country.
This engineered chaos directly benefits the cartels. Migrants, regardless of where they attempt to cross, are forced into the clutches of these criminal organizations. The cartels demand payment – often hundreds or thousands of dollars – for passage to the border. This payment is the “Dollar Worth In Mexico” for these ruthless organizations, representing not just currency, but power, control, and impunity.
The cartels’ business model is sophisticated and brutally efficient. They utilize colored wristbands to manage and track the massive influx of people attempting to cross, a system so brazen it operates in plain sight. This level of organization highlights the extent to which these groups have become emboldened and entrenched. The Secretary’s apparent ignorance of such tactics, as revealed in Senate hearings, is deeply concerning and suggests a critical disconnect from the on-the-ground reality.
The profits generated by human smuggling and trafficking are astronomical. In 2021 alone, cartels raked in an estimated $13 billion from these activities. This vast wealth empowers them to expand their operations, corrupt officials, and further destabilize both Mexico and the United States. The “dollar worth in Mexico” for cartels translates to more weapons, more manpower, and more influence.
Beyond human smuggling, the drug trade, particularly fentanyl, is another incredibly lucrative revenue stream. The cost to produce fentanyl is minimal – mere cents per pill – while the street value is exponentially higher, fetching $10-$30 per pill. A small quantity of fentanyl, like 10 kilos, can be worth $20 million, costing only $50,000 to produce. This staggering profit margin underscores why cartels are relentlessly pushing fentanyl across the border, despite seizures at ports of entry.
While authorities seize significant quantities of fentanyl at ports, this represents only a fraction of what is actually entering the country. Estimates suggest that law enforcement intercepts as little as 5-10% of the drugs smuggled across the border. The focus on port-of-entry seizures also distracts from the increasing amounts of fentanyl being smuggled between ports, through unguarded and vulnerable areas.
The consequences of this cartel dominance are devastating. American communities are ravaged by drug addiction and violence, often subcontracted by cartels to local gangs. The cartels’ reach extends far beyond the border, with reports of their operations expanding into states like Montana, hundreds of miles inland. The human cost is immeasurable, with over 109,000 drug deaths in 2022 alone, many attributed to fentanyl. Each of these deaths represents a tragic consequence of the cartels’ pursuit of profit and the policies that enable them.
Migrants themselves are also victims of this cartel economy. They are routinely extorted, abused, and forced into dangerous situations. Some are compelled to participate in smuggling operations or criminal activities within the U.S. to pay off debts to the cartels. Unaccompanied minors are particularly vulnerable, with reports indicating that a significant percentage are kidnapped and exploited. The harrowing accounts of sexual abuse and assault further underscore the brutality and inhumanity of these organizations.
The crisis at the border is not simply a law enforcement issue; it’s a multifaceted problem with deep economic roots. The “dollar worth in Mexico” for cartels is inextricably linked to the flow of migrants and drugs across the border. Until policies are enacted to effectively secure the border and dismantle cartel operations, this crisis will continue to enrich criminal organizations at the expense of both American and migrant lives. The current situation is not just a failure of policy; it’s a surrender of control to vicious cartels who are profiting immensely from the chaos.
