Michelle Lujan Grisham

The number of illegal immigrant deaths near the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico has dramatically risen over the last two years, with fatalities now ten times higher than they were just five years ago, per a report from the Associated Press. Smugglers are increasingly steering illegal immigrants—many of whom are exhausted, dehydrated, and malnourished—into more perilous paths, including the hot desert, canyons, and mountains west of El Paso, Texas. This shift has led to tragic consequences, as extreme heat and treacherous terrain take a devastating toll.

In the first eight months of 2024 alone, 108 presumed illegal immigrants, mostly from Mexico and Central America, were found dead near the border in New Mexico. This marks a stark increase compared to just nine deaths in 2020 and ten in 2019. In 2023, the number of fatalities reached 113. Experts point to the smugglers’ more dangerous routes and harsher treatment of illegal immigrants, particularly in extreme summer temperatures. The dramatic increase in New Mexico comes as the state is the only one whose governor is not acting to curb the flow of illegal aliens.

The influx of deaths has placed a significant burden on the University of New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator, which has seen an increase in heat-related fatalities. Heather Edgar, a forensic anthropologist with the office, expressed shock over the surge in deaths, saying, “Our reaction was sadness, horror, and surprise because it had been very consistently low for as long as anyone can remember.”

To cope with the rise in deaths, the office has added more deputy medical investigators, increasing their team from three to nine or ten in the affected region. Edgar attributed this to the eastern migration corridor in New Mexico, where many bodies are being recovered.

Humanitarian advocates are alarmed by this trend, as many illegal immigrants are dying within just a few miles of urban areas or even close to roads. Adam Isacson, an analyst with the Washington Office on Latin America, emphasized that “people are dying close to urban areas, in some cases just 1,000 feet from roads,” and suggested that more water stations, improved telecommunications, and rescue efforts could help mitigate the crisis.

The U.S. government has taken steps to address the situation. Border Patrol has expanded its search and rescue efforts, adding medical specialists and surveillance technology to patrols. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has installed more emergency beacons, push-button devices that can summon medical help along remote areas of the border.

Despite these efforts, the death toll continues to rise. Many of the illegal immigrants are forced to endure treacherous journeys, often walking for days or weeks without adequate food or water before crossing the border. Deputy Chief Border Patrol Agent Juan Bernal of the El Paso Sector explained that smugglers often leave these individuals to fend for themselves in dangerous conditions. “They’re expected to walk, sometimes for hours or days, to get to their destination where they’re going to be picked up,” he said.

Serious stories from families who have lost loved ones add a personal dimension to this tragedy. In one case, a family in Chiapas, Mexico, pleaded for the return of a 25-year-old relative in a missing person post, only to learn days later that she had been found dead. Another story involved a 24-year-old Guatemalan woman whose remains were discovered in June, her death marked by a photograph of her smiling in a blue dress, holding a bouquet of flowers.

The crisis continues as Joe Biden’s border czar, Kamala Harris, is seeking the presidency after Biden was forced off the ballot following pressure from his party. New Mexico’s Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has perpetuated open borders,  is a campaign surrogate for Harris.