The 'cheat sheet' found near Mexico border shows that shows illegal immigrants how to stay in the United States if detained by authorities

• Sheets are believed to be given to immigrants by the smugglers who get them across the border
• Recommends they apply for asylum by stating that they are fleeing drug cartel extortion and government oppression
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they have found recent immigrants are 'reading from a script' when detained

By Michael Zennie

Published: 15:51 EDT, 26 June 2014 | Updated: 09:59 EDT, 27 June 2014

Immigrants who illegally cross the U.S. border from Mexico are using a 'cheat sheet' to memorize answers they should give to American authorities that will help them stay in the United States if they are detained, it was claimed today.

A guide given to immigrant instructs them to request asylum and say they have family in the United States and fleeing violent drug cartels in their home country.

The Blaze, a conservative news site, obtained a copy of the Spanish-language cheat sheet that was found near the border crossing in McAllen, Texas.

Illegal immigrants who request asylum are held for an asylum hearing in front of an immigration judge.

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Cheat sheet: This Spanish-language paper is used to coach illegal immigrants through an interview with U.S. authorities if they are picked up crossing the border

However, the Blaze reports that detention centers are so crowded, most are released without bail after promising to attend their court date. The majority move on to their destinations inside the United States and never show up for the asylum hearing. 

The cheat sheet helps explain why many of the immigrants picked up by U.S. Customs and Border seem to be 'reading from a script,' one official told the site.

'It’s proof they are told what to say,' a Homeland Security official said, calling the paper an 'illegal alien cheat sheet.'

The sheet includes the questions border patrol agents are likely to ask. The copy obtained by the Blaze also includes answers penciled in.

One question is: 'Why did you abandon your country?' Answer: 'Because of poverty and misery.'

Another is: 'You’re in fear of your government and afraid to live in your country.' Answer: 'You’re afraid of extortion from Maras (the street gang MS-13).'

The Blaze reports that the sheets are given to immigrants by the traffickers who are paid thousands of dollars to help them sneak across the border.

The revelation comes at a time when unaccompanied children are swarming across the border by the tens of thousands. Many are being sent to join their parents already in the United States. Others, are being sent ahead of their parents, in the hopes that their presence in America will help the rest of their family get into the country.

In the last eight months, some 52,000 children have been seized crossing the border, most are from Central American nations, not Mexico, according to the Department of Homeland Security.