What is a common geographical route for smuggling individuals into the US?

Passing through Mexico as a final staging country is recognized as a common geographical route for smuggling individuals into the United States. This method is particularly prevalent due to Mexico's proximity to the U.S. and the established trafficking networks that operate in this region. Many individuals seeking to enter the U.S. illegally may first travel through Central America and then reach Mexico, where they await opportunities to cross the border.

Additionally, the U.S.-Mexico border is one of the most heavily trafficked areas for both legal and illegal crossings, providing various points of entry that smuggling organizations exploit. These organizations often have extensive resources and knowledge of border security to facilitate this illegal movement effectively.

In contrast, while crossing through Canada and entering through international airports from Asia are potential routes, they are less commonly associated with the methods used by smugglers, who often prioritize routes that are perceived as having less stringent controls and higher success rates for illegal crossings. Utilizing ferry services from South America is also not a widely recognized method, as it does not represent the typical pathways that smugglers use to transport individuals into the U.S.