The El Paso area has seen a sharp increase in migrant deaths, with 23 lives lost since the end of the last fiscal year. Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, 176 migrants died while attempting to cross illegally into the United States. The deaths occurred in treacherous locations like the deserts and mountains of New Mexico, in canals, and on roadways used by smugglers. The high-speed, overcrowded vehicles used by smugglers also contributed to the fatalities.
Federal authorities have issued renewed warnings to potential migrants about the risks they face. Claudio Herrera-Baeza, a U.S. Border Patrol spokesman, highlighted that the deaths were not solely due to extreme heat but also the dangers of hypothermia, water canals, and overcrowded vehicles. "Even when you jump inside a vehicle, a small sedan full of 10 individuals, it can be really dangerous," Herrera-Baeza said.
