First it was the piñatas, then the non-Agave tequila and the figurines of the Virgin of Guadalupe. And now, the Chinese are taking over the highly profitable activity of smuggling people into the U.S.
At a time when arrests of Mexican immigrants crossing illegally into the U.S. is at an all-time low, a new breed of human smuggling is taking place at the U.S.-Mexico border: Meet the Chinese coyote.
Authorities in Nogales report an almost tenfold spike in the number of Chinese people caught in the southern Arizona desert […] with at least 261 Chinese border-crossers arrested this year, according to the L.A. Times.
Mexican polleros would be best advised to move their butt if they want to remain competitive; otherwise, they will see their industry evaporate, just as it happened with shoes, toys, clothing, computers, etc. etc.
I’ve seen this down by the Mexicali/Calexico border, cities that were actually founded by the Chinese (believe it or not) over 100 years ago…it’s impressive how well organized and supportive of each other they are. When they arrive from the mainland, they usually work in the local chinese restaurants for a few months, learn spanish and english while earning their keep, before they “move to greener pastures.”