CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In her role as Mexican consulate volunteer immigration advocate, Alicia Valdes has heard the sex trafficking horror stories.
She warns 3NEWS of the dangers of folks turning to the cartels to get into the country, and risking their lives inside hot and cramped compartments and in chases with law enforcement for a better life.
"For me it's a crime,” she said. “It's the worst crime to do that, because they are playing and using the hope of people."
Valdes is a notary public during the day, but in the rest of her spare time, she helps immigrants with all types of issues.
She knows firsthand what issues they face.
“My family and I, we came over pursuing the American Dream and, thank God, we stayed," she said.
Valdes’ family first arrived here in 1997 from Matamoros, Mexico.
She eventually gained her citizenship.
"May 5th, 2015 -- 5,5,5,” she said. “It was a big day for Mexico, and it was a big day for me."
DPS Sgt. Rob Mallory agrees that human smuggling remains a problem. He said troopers on the border have had their hands full trying to combat the problem.
"Since Operation Lone Star began, DPS has made over 9,781 human smuggling arrests with over 21,931 human smuggling charges," he said.
But the problem, thankfully, is becoming less of one.
Valdes said there are a few ways for people who are still in legal limbo to solve that uncertainty.
"Friends,” she said in Spanish. “I recommend that if you have a way to resolve your immigration situation in the United States, do it. But even more, if you are a legal resident, try to gain your citizenship or naturalization."
She said one of the best things she ever did was coming to the United States to build a better life and now aims to help others achieve the same goal.