A Turkish Migrant’s Perilous Journey to the U.S
In a startling revelation, a 33-year-old Turkish migrant, Ugur, has disclosed the harrowing details of his journey to the U.S. border. Ugur, originally from Istanbul, told Fox News that he paid a Mexican cartel $6,500 to be dropped off at the southern border, with the ultimate goal of settling in Santa Monica and working for the courier service DoorDash.
Ugur was part of a group of six individuals interviewed by the news outlet in Jacumba Hot Springs, along the U.S.-Mexico border. The group consisted of migrants from Turkey and Uzbekistan, all seeking a better life in the United States.
According to Ugur, the political and economic situation in his home country of Turkey had deteriorated under the leadership of President Erdogan, whom he described as a “dictator” that he “hates.” Ugur explained, “USA don’t give us visa, and we come here illegally. If U.S. government let me work, I can work.”
Detailing his harrowing journey, Ugur revealed, “If you pay Mexican people, the Mexican Cartel money they let you come here. I pay $6,500 for Mexico and I come here.” He further stated that he plans to stay in immigration detention for a day or two before flying to his desired destination of Los Angeles, where he hopes to earn $6,000 working for DoorDash.
The influx of migrants crossing the southern border has become a significant concern for U.S. authorities. Kate Monroe, a representative from the group Border Vets, which aims to patch holes along the border, expressed her concerns, stating, “This is a massive problem. Infrastructurally, economically we cannot support this for generations.”
Monroe also shared her surprise at the diversity of the migrants, stating that she has collected passports from individuals hailing from countries as far-reaching as Pakistan, Ethiopia, Ecuador, and China, all of whom have attempted to claim asylum.
The latest figures from Customs and Border Protection show that in February alone, the agency encountered 189,922 migrants at the southern border. This fiscal year, the agency has encountered over 1.1 million people, a record-high number that has made migration a top concern in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens has voiced his concerns about the thousands of migrants who have evaded authorities, stating, “What’s keeping me up at night is the 140,000 got-aways. Why are they hiding? What do they have to hide? What are they bringing in? What is their intent? Where are they coming from? We simply don’t know the answers to those questions.”
Owens emphasized that border security is a crucial aspect of national security, and the influx of illegal migrants being smuggled into the country is “exploiting a vulnerability” facing the nation. He revealed that the migrants who have made their way into the U.S. this year have come from at least 160 different countries, some of which are located on distant continents.
The ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border continues to pose significant challenges for the government and the nation as a whole, as it grapples with the complex issues of immigration, national security, and the humanitarian needs of those seeking a better life.
