WESLACO – Thousands of immigrants claim to have been blackmailed as they headed to the border.

Some told CHANNEL 5 NEWS the violence and corruption they thought they left behind is being seen along the U.S. southern border.

They tells us they are willing to pay the price, even if they know something is not right.

The director of the Citizens Council of the National Migration Institute says they’ve heard stories of Mexican immigration agents charging immigrants thousands of dollars; the payment would either release the immigrants or offer a humanitarian visa. 

Watch the video above for the full story.