Migrants freely admit they’re coming to make money, not for protection from persecution
A new Center for Immigration Studies video report filmed in Mexico highlights the migrant numbers, nationalities, and reasons for crossing the southern border. A large number of Venezuelans, one of the largest populations presently entering the United States, are committing fraud to qualify for entry, as seen in the video.
Todd Bensman, the Center’s senior national security fellow, said “Over the past two years, I have been interviewing Venezuelans in Mexico who are using the humanitarian claim to qualify for entry to the U.S. Many are committing fraud (a felony) – throwing away their documents and pretending they have just escaped their home country and political persecution when in fact they have been living safely and happily, and gainfully employed, in other countries in South America and the Caribbean for years.”
Bensman’s video shows some of these interviews, including those of individuals he tracked until they arrived at their destination in the interior of the U.S. He also interviews those who used the CBP One app. They all tell the same story – they heard back home that Venezuelans are being let into the United States and that moving to the U.S. would be an easy economic upgrade. They have even heard that 99 percent of those using the app get approved.
Many of those committing fraud show a good knowledge of how to abuse the U.S. system. Two young men whom Bensman interviews were confident that they would be granted parole even though they do not qualify. In the video they describe how they will use a claim of “credible fear” (a screening standard for asylum seekers), just as they were told to by those who entered the U.S. earlier, as the means for entry. Once in the U.S., they intend to hire a lawyer to help them regularize their status.
How high are the numbers? High enough that a South American travel industry now exists to cater to those planning to claim humanitarian permits.
By Todd Bensman and Bryan Griffith
