[Consultant32452]

Do you remember the reports/videos a while back that showed caravan members being gassed as they broke through the Southern Mexico border? Many of these people are not even legally in Mexico, so they're already criminals and anyone helping them is already participating in human trafficking even if the caravans never got to the US border.

The BBC reports here that:

>Many of them say their goal is to settle in the US despite warnings by US officials that anyone found entering the country illegally will face arrest, prosecution and deportation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45951782

They openly acknowledge their intent to break the law.

With regards to your last question, my understanding is that historically as these caravans near the US border many people disperse and find various illegal ways across the border. Yes, many also apply for asylum in an orderly fashion.