Frontera NorteSur, May 1999

This is the final part of a series on the risks that immigrants face when unlawfully crossing the US-México border. The series started in February with the story of Irma, a teenager who unlawfully entered the US and was later deported. Her story reflects many other stories, but overall, it tells about a new phenomenon: children are risking their lives in a forbidden attempt to enter the US. The series continued in March when FNS spoke with the Border Patrol and the Mexican Consulate about the most extreme risk: immigrants face death. The number of immigrants dying when illegally crossing the border has increased. According to our interviewers, the situation in El Paso, Texas, is far from tragedy; however, in this month's issue, FNS talked to a human rights activist who believes that recent deaths along the border are beyond the norm. To view earlier parts of this series:

A Risk At Any Age: Children Illegally Crossing the Border

Part I From the South

Part II From the North

The number of immigrants dying when illegally crossing the US-México border has increased in the last five years; and many explanations have been attributed to these deaths. A study done by the University of Houston shows that recent Border Patrol measures have forced immigrants to cross the border through areas of greater risk. However, border patrol officers argue that people smugglers, better known as "coyotes," are to blame for the loss of immigrants' lives. Whether anyone assumes any responsibility or not, the truth is that people continue to die in their attempt to unlawfully enter the US.

On April 2, eight immigrants died of hypothermia during an unexpected snow storm while trying to cross the US-México border near the mountain region of Tecate, between California and México. Two other people met the same fate on April 8 when crossing the border through Arizona; and the following day, the Border Patrol in that area rescued 125 Mexican immigrants that were walking through the desert in below zero temperatures.

Who is to blame for these deaths? Fernado García, Coordinator of the Immigration Law Enforcement Monitoring Project, a human rights organization in El Paso, Texas, talked to FNS about the risks illegal immigrants face when trying to cross the border.

García asserts that this situation is a current phenomenon. He says that more people are currently dying on the border. According to García, these deaths are because of recent immigration policies that he labels as criminal and aggressive. "We understand that the US has to protect its borders; but this is not the best or the most humane way to do it."

García not only criticizes immigration policies and border patrol measures; but the role of the Mexican consulate for not protesting the causes of these deaths. He affirms that the Mexican consulate avoids addressing the serious problems that stem from US immigration policies. García believes that the Mexican Consulate should take a stronger position and react loudly against these recent deaths.

Changing Patterns

People used to illegally cross the border in crowed places, cities such as Tijuana, Laredo, El Paso, and Matamoros. These so-called traditional paths were considered safe. People didn't have to swim across the Río Grande or to walk through desert or over mountains; however, they have to today. For García, explanations regarding changes on immigrants' paths have to be based on the increased security measures along the US-México border. He says that strengthened immigration policies have forced people to look for alternative ways to enter the US which often prove life threatening.

Not all the regions in the border are experiencing this same problem. The situation in El Paso, Texas, is different; there has not been an increase of immigrant deaths or increased security measures, according to the Border Patrol and the Mexican consulate, both at El Paso. García agrees that immigrants don't frequently cross through El Paso as they used to. However, according to García, the Border Patrol operation called "Hold the Line," which is currently implemented in El Paso, has forced people to look for new paths. The result is that illegal immigrants are crossing through more isolated areas in the state of New Mexico.

Regarding the "coyotes'" responsibility in recent and future deaths, García believes that they are not the problem, but the consequence of immigration policies. "There is a necessity of using "coyotes" today. People knew their way to enter the US before; but today these areas are under surveillance, so people have to hire "coyotes." This is all the result of immigration policies."

Fernando García is sincere when questioned about the best strategy for avoiding more deaths. He says neither he or his group has the answer. However, he explains that a good beginning is the search for solutions and it should start from the community. "These policies are imposed on the community many times. They are never discussed with people that live right on the border. It is also necessary to consider the protection of human rights and the respect for the physical, moral, and psychological integrity of immigrants."

According to García, his group is not promoting the alternative of "open borders." Instead, they support the right of mobility. People, he explains, have always mobilized or moved to places where life can be better. His group also recognizes the right of each country to protect its borders, but that this should be done with respect for human life. But as García points out, people are dying when illegally crossing the US-México border and this situation should be enough to make us realize that these deaths are not normal. "Nobody should let things go by. Something needs to be done."