Criminal groups in Mexico are using fake images made with artificial intelligence to trick migrants. These groups are spreading false messages online that claim the United States border is open again. The goal is to convince people to pay them for illegal crossings into the U.S.
The fake pictures show President Donald Trump smiling or waving, with words suggesting he has reopened the border or allowed new immigration programs. These images are made to look real and are being shared across social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook.
The truth is very different. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks has made it clear that the border is closed and that laws are being strictly enforced. However, many desperate people looking for a better life may not know this and could fall for the false messages.
Cartels Use AI to Make Money from Migrants
Mexican cartels make billions of dollars each year by smuggling people across the border. But after recent policy changes under President Trump’s administration, the number of illegal crossings has dropped sharply. With fewer people crossing, the cartels are losing money. To recover their profits, they have turned to a new method — digital lies powered by AI.
USCIS reveals 275 cases of suspected immigration fraud in Minnesota operation
Using AI tools, they create fake images and news posts that look like official government announcements. Some posts claim that work permits are available for five years starting in October. Others say that thousands of people per month can legally enter the United States. A few even claim that new laws protect certain migrants from deportation.
These posts are entirely false. They are designed to make migrants believe there is a legal opportunity to enter the U.S. Many migrants, often poor and uninformed about U.S. policies, may trust these messages. When they do, they pay smugglers huge sums of money to help them cross — only to find out later that they were deceived.
Mike Banks explained that these false claims are spreading fast, mainly through social media videos and screenshots. The fake messages often include Trump’s face and quotes, which makes them appear official to people who do not know better. The use of AI technology has made it easier for criminals to make these images look convincing.
Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge, noted that this kind of misinformation shows how desperate the cartels have become. He added that many migrants, after years of confusion about border rules, may believe the lies and risk their lives chasing false promises.
Dangerous Consequences for Migrants
The spread of these AI-created lies is not only a scam — it’s putting lives at risk. Many migrants who believe the false claims start dangerous journeys toward the border. They often travel through deserts, rivers, and unsafe areas controlled by criminals. When they arrive, they find that the border is not open. Many are stranded in border towns with no money, no help, and no way forward.
Authorities say that the number of illegal border crossings has dropped to the lowest levels in more than fifty years. This means far fewer people are being detained or entering illegally. It has also led to fewer deaths, as fewer migrants are attempting risky crossings through deserts or across rivers.
Supreme Court lifts limits on Trump’s immigration raids, sparking outrage in California
The fake AI posts are an attempt by cartels to fight back against this loss of income. They know that migrants are desperate and will cling to any hope of a better life. The criminals take advantage of that hope by selling lies disguised as opportunity.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose district covers a large part of the southern border, stated that President Trump has made it clear through both action and policy that the border is closed. He praised Border Patrol agents for being ready to enforce the law and stop illegal crossings at every turn.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also pointed out that the administration’s border record speaks for itself. She said the Southern Border is closed and that the number of illegal crossings has fallen sharply compared to previous years.
Authorities are working to remove these fake posts from social media platforms. But because the images are easily recreated, the false messages keep reappearing. The use of AI has made it harder to stop the spread of misinformation. Experts say that these scams are becoming one of the biggest digital threats faced by migrants today.
In the end, the AI-generated lies from Mexican cartels show how far these criminal groups will go to make money. By faking images of leaders like Donald Trump and spreading false hope, they are exploiting vulnerable people and putting lives in danger — all for profit.