Skip to Content

Migrant Deaths Up Sharply In South Texas

HOUSTON (AP) – The number of dead immigrants found in South Texas has already surpassed last year’s total — heading into the two hottest months of 2008.

Since October, the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley sector has found 67 bodies — after recovering 61 all of the previous fiscal year.

Agency spokesman Daniel Doty told the Houston Chronicle that it’s generally a three-day walk around a checkpoint — but the immigrants are told it’s just a few hours.

Immigrants on foot can become disoriented in the heat and vast scrubland north of the Texas border with Mexico.

Border Patrol officials point to tougher security in Arizona, a long string of days with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and smugglers they say don’t care for their human cargo.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

KVIA ABC-7

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content