Tamaulipas Coyotes' Views on U.S. Immigration Policy

Abstract

Since the early 1990s the overwhelming emphasis in U.S. immigration policy has been on border enforcement while employer sanctions, worksite enforcement and other forms of interior control have remained notoriously weak. However, border enforcement proved to be a poor deterrent to the unauthorized flow of immigrants. As the United States has tightened border controls, migrants have become increasingly dependent on people smugglers. This article analyzes the views of Tamaulipas' smugglers on U.S. immigration control which focuses on border surveillance, and how it has affected illegal immigrant smuggling.