Securing Our Borders: What is the Price of Human Life?

September 28, 2015

Guest blogger: Sara Bushman, second-year law student, University of San Francisco

Every four years in this country we are faced with the daunting decision of choosing a new presidential candidate. Over the past twenty years, although the times have changed and society has evolved, one platform remains the same: immigration. After the recent GOP debate, it became clear that the slogan for the 2016 Presidential Election is: “we need to secure our borders.” As advantageous, and topical as this assertion may be, the question that needs to follow is: what is the cost of “securing our borders”?

Operation Gatekeeper (California 1994), Operation Hold the Line (Texas 1993), and Operation Safeguard (Arizona 2003) were a series of initiatives designed by state legislatures to halt the illegal immigration coming from Mexico. The goal was to erect fences and barriers along the Southwest border of the United States. Without blinking an eye, millions of dollars and tons of resources were dumped into the projects. The budget of the Border Patrol increased in unprecedented amounts and the force nearly doubled since 2001.

Many proponents behind Operation Gatekeeper, Operation Hold the Line and Operation Safeguard claim that illegal immigration has decreased as a direct result of the fences. For instance, in El Paso, Texas after the implementation of Operation Hold the Line between the fiscal years of 1994-1997, it was estimated that roughly 537,000 fewer undocumented immigrants crossed the border. However, did the fences really prevent immigration? Despite the fact that in many known illegal crossing areas the numbers of immigrants crossing were down nearly 18%, the Border Patrol was not accounting for the new routes and points that were being created in response to the fences and walls that were being constructed. As proponents hastily cheered for their victory, staunch opponents realized the actual cost of these fences: the cost to human life.

Since 1995 there has been a steady increase in the amount of migrant deaths at the border, with yearly deaths doubling since 1995. In 2004 the Board Patrol estimated that 1,954 children and parents alike have died as a result of crossing the border since the year 1998. In 2009 alone, it was estimated that 417 people died at the border. However, what is most devastating about these numbers is that the deaths reported are only the number of known deaths. Hundreds, if not thousands, more immigrants die at the border each year without Border Patrol knowing.

Instead of halting at the sight of a fence, or turning the other way because of bright lights, immigrants are finding new, more dangerous paths to cross. Often times they face exposure and hypothermia because these new routes are longer and through untraveled terrain. Coyotes and smugglers are more prevalent, despite the fact that they often take advantage of and cause more harm to those immigrants who are desperate to make the journey across the border; without the coyotes and smugglers there often is no other way to escape the atrocities these individuals face at home.

Instead of pointing the finger at Mexico and declaring that “they” are the problem, the United States needs to explore new avenues for “securing our borders”. The best option at this point is to knock down the fences and put an end to Operation Gatekeeper, Operation Hold the line, and Operation Safeguard (as well as any future Operations with the fence building goal in line). Instead, immigration reform would best be served by allowing migrants into the country. Instead of holding onto our xenophobic sentiments, and treating migrants as subhuman, the focus should be on giving migrants a place within society. Give them a place to pay taxes. Give them a place to feel safe.

The amount of money that has been dedicated to Operation Gatekeeper, Operation Hold the Line and Operation Safeguard is public knowledge. The amount of deaths that have resulted in direct relation to the fences erected is also public knowledge. Yet somehow every four years and every presidential election the phrase: “we need to secure our borders,” is sung loud and proud without mention of the expense these operations and fences have on humanity: the cost to human life.