Immigration authorities still need to offer details about the review of the trailer where 53 immigrants died, due to the lack of ventilation, water and the extreme heat near San Antonio, Texas.
However, an immigration and security expert advanced that this case is an example of how are the “sophisticated operations” of human traffickers or ” coyotes”, in addition to suggesting that non-citizens were able to board the vehicle while already in the US
“This is a very sophisticated operation that involves vast networks in Mexico, Central America, all the way back to Texas and the Midwest, the East, the West Coast, whatever,” said Roger Enriquez, an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio who is also the executive director of the Westside Community Association.
He said that although the trailer was able to pass the inspections of Customs and Front Protection agents (CBP), it is possible that the immigrants were not in the unit, given the sophisticated security systems.
“It is very possible that the part of the trip of the tractor trailer ends here, but it didn’t necessarily start in Mexico, becausethey use very sophisticated X-ray systems for the landing gear,” he explained to NPR.
Enriquez said he was surprised that there were not more cases of this type, given the conditions in which they are immigrants exposed.
“Honestly, I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often…because of the challenge that people have to run to get to this country”, he stated.
It is possible, he indicated, that the immigrants crossed the border on foot and were later picked up in Laredo, to continue their journey to the interior of the US
So far there are four people detained, including the driver of the vehicle, who was heavily drugged when he was arrested, trying to pass himself off as one of the victims .