The U.S. Border Patrol has recorded 557 Southwest border deaths during the fiscal year 2021, which ended last September 30. That is up from 254 deaths in fiscal year 2020 and 300 deaths in FY2019, marking a significant increase amid a 30-year record high for border crossings. The U.S. Border Patrol data on deaths date from 1998.
The figures, however, are not representative of all migrant border deaths. The Border Patrol data show only the deaths where agents find the body or are involved in an emergency response, and not the numbers of other state and local agencies when they recover bodies without Border Patrol involvement. As a result, the number of deaths is likely higher.
We are told that the majority of migrant border deaths has been related to heat exposure, and to getting lost in unknown terrain. While this is true, the real culprit is President Biden and his administration. To date the Biden administration has continued with deterrent policies such as Title 42 and MPP, best known for the Stay in Mexico policy. These policies have caused migrants to take more dangerous routes to avoid being detained by the Border Patrol.
Trump started using Title 42 and Biden has continued its use against asylum seekers, migrants and refugees. Despite the fact that there is no scientific knowledge that migrants and refugees have the coronavirus. To date, almost a million migrants and their children have been denied asylum under Title 42.
Meanwhile, MPP leaves migrants and refugees at the mercy of state and cartel violence. Neither Mexico nor the United States offers assistance and these migrants rely on charity and non-governmental organizations.
As a result, both governments are responsible for the 557-plus border deaths at our southern border. Both governments know what to do. The United States needs to end MPP and Title 42. In addition Mexico needs to stop adhering to the U.S. government’s wishes to keep migrants and refugees in Mexico instead of letting them enter the United States.
This cemetery holds a special place in all of our hearts the unmarked dirt lot at the end of Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville houses the remains of hundreds of unidentified migrants. Most of these people died alone in the Imperial Valley desert or mountains. Some drowned in irrigation canals. Others died of thirst or exposure to extreme heat.
Each burial site is marked only with a large brick, each inscribed with the words “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” and a row number.
While visiting Holtville, our team also had the opportunity to visit the site of the tragic accident that took place earlier this year, where a suspected Border Patrol chase ended in 13 people losing their lives.
It is important for all of us to pay respect and honor these spaces for those who have lost their lives in search of a better one. Every single one of these people deserves a dignified resting place, even though we may never know exactly who they were.
Border Angels.
