The Border Myth About Fentanyl That’s Killing Policy
Nearly 9 in 10 fentanyl smugglers are U.S. citizens—not asylum seekers or undocumented migrants, per new government data.
WASHINGTON — States is smuggled by U.S. citizens through legal ports of entry—undermining widespread claims that migrants crossing the border illegally are primarily responsible for the deadly drug’s flow.
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The data, compiled from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) records, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and press reports, shows that between October 2018 and June 2024, about 81 percent of people caught smuggling fentanyl at the southern border were U.S. citizens. Most of these individuals entered through official land ports, often in personal vehicles or on foot.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin, has been the leading cause of U.S. drug overdoses, contributing to more than 107,000 deaths in 2022 alone. Though overdose deaths have since declined, officials warn that fentanyl trafficking remains a significant public health and national security challenge.
Contrary to popular belief and political rhetoric linking migrants to drug trafficking, the fact sheet emphasizes that irregular migration and fentanyl smuggling are largely unconnected. Of nearly 700 CBP-reported fentanyl seizures reviewed, just 10 involved migrants crossing between ports of entry. The vast majority occurred at official crossings or within the U.S., often in vehicles driven by American citizens.
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“Criminal organizations use legal border traffic as cover,” the report states, pointing to the enormous volume of people and goods crossing daily—over 360,000 passengers and 21,000 trucks on an average day in March 2025. Most of these entrants face little or no drug screening, as only 5 percent of cars and 20 percent of trucks undergo advanced inspection.
The smuggling methods are often sophisticated. Recent examples include drugs hidden in vehicle gas tanks, green bean shipments, shoes, and even inside a person’s body. Those caught are usually in their 20s and 30s, many recruited by cartels with promises of fast cash.
Officials argue that real solutions require targeted investments: enhanced inspection technology at ports, more CBP officers, public health funding for addiction, and disruption of criminal recruitment networks. “Blaming migrants for the opioid crisis is not only inaccurate—it’s a distraction,” the report concludes.
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