Laura Mae Williams, who works for the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office, has noticed a significant increase in the number of bodies recovered in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands near El Paso, Texas. In the past, it was rare for migrants to die after crossing the border in this area, but this year, the office has already recovered 121 sets of remains, compared to just a handful in previous years. The deaths are mostly heat-related, as the desert area can reach extreme temperatures, especially in the summer. Many of the deceased migrants were not well-hydrated or well-fed, having spent days in harsh conditions.
The spike in deaths is believed to be linked to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which has pushed smugglers to attempt routes west of El Paso in New Mexico. While Abbott’s office blames the federal government for the deaths, officials in New Mexico also point fingers at the smugglers who abandon migrants in dangerous conditions. The New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office classifies these deaths as accidental, but questions whether leaving someone in the desert to die should be considered homicide by neglect. This pattern of increased deaths following enforcement efforts pushing smuggling routes into more remote and dangerous areas is not new.
The situation highlights the dangerous and deadly consequences of increased border enforcement and the actions of smugglers. The area near El Paso, once considered relatively safe, has now become a hotspot for migrant deaths, with first responders, elected officials, and advocates calling for more humane and effective immigration policies to prevent future tragedies.
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