Great Lakes Wire

U.S. Senate Candidate in Michigan Mike Rogers stated that the border crisis has resulted in an "economic boom for the criminal drug cartels." Rogers made the statement to the Great Lakes Wire on July 15.

"The Biden-Slotkin open border agenda has been an economic boom for the criminal drug cartels that have brought crime to our doorsteps and kill 100,000 Americans every year with fentanyl," said Rogers. "In the Senate, I'll work to designate the cartels as the terrorist organizations they are and secure our borders to protect Americans."

According to News Nation, the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels' power has pervaded internet usage in Mexican homes, using death threats to coerce civilians into paying cartels for internet access. Cartels also commit extortion to generate finances through the food industry. The prices of tortillas, avocados, and poultry have all been driven up in Mexico; 14-15% of tortilla factories are forced to pay cartels various sums of money every week to continue operation, anywhere from $135-$190.

The human smuggling operations run by the cartels generated $13 billion in 2021 alone, according to a House Homeland Security Press Release.

ABC News reports that "long-haul" migrants desiring entrance to the United States will pay from $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the length of their journey. Smugglers under the authority of the cartels often charge more fees when smuggled migrants reach the border.

Rogers represented Michigan in Congress from 2001-2015, according to his website. He served as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and is currently running for election to the U.S. Senate in Michigan.