Immigration advocates are raising concerns about the increased deterrence measures by state and federal governments after firefighters from Texas and New Mexico rescued a significant number of migrants from the Rio Grande. The rescue operation was unusually large, and it has sparked worries among immigration advocates about the potential risks associated with such measures.
According to Alan Lizarraga, a representative of the Border Network for Human Rights, there is a growing concern about the increase in migrant rescues and deaths in El Paso. Lizarraga emphasized that the current border deterrence policies are forcing migrants to take perilous routes. “The consequences of such policies are dire, and we need to take immediate action to address this issue,” he stated.
On Tuesday evening, a total of 54 migrants were rescued from a section of the river, some of whom were suffering from hypothermia. According to Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano, all of the migrants were provided with medical care, although none of them were in critical condition.
Medrano had a clear message for the migrants: crossing the border illegally is not only against the law, but it’s also extremely hazardous. Sunland Park Fire has conducted almost 80 water rescues this year, including the most recent one on Tuesday. Although there were no casualties during this incident, four migrants lost their lives in the same area just two weeks ago.
According to Border Patrol Spokesman Claudio Herrera, human smuggler rings are to blame for the dangerous routes that migrants take. He explained that these criminal organizations deceive migrants about the risks involved, leading them to believe that they are taking a safe passage. However, the reality is quite different as crossing illegally can result in multiple legal consequences and put their lives in danger. Herrera emphasized that migrants should not trust their lives with these transnational criminal organizations.
According to recent statistics, the implementation of new measures such as increased physical barriers by Texas and an executive action by the federal government has led to a significant drop in the number of apprehensions at the border. It is worth noting that the executive action essentially halts the process of seeking asylum once the daily average of encounters over a week exceeds 2,500.
The number of rescues has actually gone up, indicating that the migrants who are still attempting to cross the border are taking even more dangerous paths. In this fiscal year, Border Patrol has already rescued 740 migrants, compared to just 360 between October 1, 2022 and early July of 2023.
According to Herrera, transnational criminal organizations are the ones dictating where migrants cross the border. As migrants are unfamiliar with the area and location, they are highly vulnerable. Herrera advises the migrant community and their families to refrain from paying smuggling fees to help their family members cross the border illegally. This is because it puts their loved ones in perilous situations.