CNN: A record number of migrants have died crossing the US-Mexico border

Mexico–United States barrier near Tijuana, Mexico. The crosses represent migrants who have died in attempts to cross the border.  Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Deaths of migrants along the U.S./Mexico border have been a fact of life for years.  See, for example, here, here, here.  The death toll continues to mount.

Priscilla Alvarez for CNN reports that nearly 750 migrants have died at the U.S./Mexico border this fiscal year, a new record that surpasses last year’s total by more than 200 people, according to Department of Homeland Security figures “Migrants often face treacherous terrain when crossing the border – including oppressive desert heat, dangerous waters and falling from the border wall.

Since October 1, which marks the start of the fiscal year, there have been 748 deaths, a Homeland Security official told CNN, with a month still left to go in the fiscal year. That’s up from 557 southwest border deaths during fiscal year 2021, the previous record. “

 The number of deaths is likely higher.

KJ