Migrants and smugglers are increasingly leveraging TikTok to share videos that promote illegal border crossings from Mexico to the U.S., providing insight into the smuggling industry.

This access to technology has enabled the proliferation of smuggling advertisements on platforms like TikTok.

The narratives employed by smugglers on social media are adaptable, shifting in response to the political climate to either promote asylum access or downplay fears of capture amid stricter immigration policies.

Comments on these smuggling videos often reflect a mix of desperation and hope, with viewers frequently inquiring about pricing information.

A recent United Nations study revealed that 64% of migrants had access to smartphones and the internet during their journey, which has facilitated their reliance on social media for connecting with smugglers.

Authorities, including the UN's International Organization for Migration, are increasingly concerned about the sophistication of smuggling networks that utilize technology to evade law enforcement and challenge traditional crime-fighting methods.