U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Alien Smuggling: Elements of the Problem and the U.S. Response

NCJ Number
174603
Journal
Trends in Organized Crime Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 1998 Pages: 3-13
Author(s)
J M Winer
Date Published
1998
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Estimates indicate that several hundred thousand illegal migrants are being moved each year by international criminal smuggling syndicates from their countries of origin to Western Europe and the United States.
Abstract
Chinese smugglers alone earn up to $3.5 billion annually. Nearly standard fees for various nationalities range from a few hundred dollars for Central Americans to $40,000 for Chinese. A down payment is normally made before departure, with the remainder due to smugglers upon completion of the journey. Funds come primarily from persons in developed countries, either relatives or prospective employers, and repayment is made by the migrant by working, often in sweatshop conditions or through criminal activities. Alien smuggling organizations operate with near impunity, since alien smuggling is a crime in only a few recipient countries and penalties are minimal. Further, alien smuggling is facilitated by official corruption. Examples of the alien smuggling business are provided, and key elements of the business are identified. Initiatives by the Clinton Administration to combat alien smuggling are noted, such as increased diplomatic and law enforcement efforts, measures to interdict smuggling vessels, and new procedures for processing asylum claims and returning economic migrants. The prevention of alien smuggling is examined in terms of strengthening law enforcement efforts, interagency cooperation in the United States, and international cooperation between the United States and its allies.