Back in July, amid extreme weather conditions at the border, Migrants in Mexico were urged not to attempt border crossings. The Mexican government even went as far as to report 155 heat-related deaths in June close to the border, although they didn't clarify how many of the victims were attempting to cross. The heat, along with other risks, had resulted in 164 deaths in the El Paso region by June, a number that already surpassed the 2023 total.
The striking number of migrant deaths has had it's toll on Border Patrol agents, many of whom frequently discover bodies or attempt rescues under hazardous conditions. The rising number of fatalities, along with the challenges inherent in border enforcement, has contributed to a mental health crisis within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to a sprawling new report by USA Today.
