USA Green Card Immigration Blog

Organized crime is preying on illegal immigrants’ American dreams.  “Gangs own the people-smuggling trade” and are kidnapping illegals and then holding them hostage for ransom of as much as $5000.  The phenomenon is particularly acute in the Phoenix, Arizona area.  How is this happening?  A variety of factors are at play, including:  the spike in abandoned property (where the hostages can be kept), tighter border security (which makes border crossings more difficult and encourages gangs to handle them), and the decline in immigration resulting from job losses in the US (which decreases gangs’ revenue made from border crossings, and invites them to hold hostages for ransom money).  Read the article for more information on this disturbing trend.