Migrant Deaths Surge in New Mexico Near US-Mexico Border, Rising Tenfold in Recent Years

 

The number of migrant deaths near the US-Mexico border in New Mexico has drastically increased over the past five years, with a tenfold rise reported in the last two years. Data from the first eight months of 2024 reveal that 108 bodies, presumed to be migrants primarily from Mexico and Central America, were found near the border, most within 10 miles of El Paso.

In 2023, 113 bodies were recovered in the same region, a stark contrast to the nine bodies discovered in 2020 and ten in 2019. Experts are unsure of the exact reasons for this increase but believe smugglers are subjecting migrants to harsher conditions and more dangerous routes, particularly during extreme summer heat.

The rise in deaths has overwhelmed the University of New Mexico’s medical investigator’s office, which handles the identification and autopsies of the deceased. Most of the deaths have been attributed to heat-related causes. Heather Edgar, a forensic anthropologist with the office, described the surge in fatalities as both shocking and tragic. To cope with the influx, the office has increased its staff of deputy medical investigators.

While immigration and border security are key issues for voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, candidates have largely focused on preventing migrants from entering the country. However, the humanitarian crisis posed by the increasing number of deaths remains significant. Many migrants are perishing close to urban areas, with some found just 1,000 feet from main roads.

In response to the situation, US officials have stepped up their efforts to combat human smuggling networks and improve rescue operations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has added surveillance equipment and expanded its use of emergency beacons, which allow migrants to call for help in remote areas. The agency also reported rescuing nearly 1,000 migrants in New Mexico and western Texas in the past year, an increase from about 600 the previous year.

Faith-based and civilian organizations are also increasing their efforts to prevent more deaths. Groups like the Hope Border Institute in El Paso have started placing water bottles and flags in the deadly New Mexico corridor to help those attempting the treacherous journey. Dylan Corbett, the institute’s executive director, attributed the rise in deaths to organized crime and tougher border enforcement measures.

The crisis has been further aggravated by climate change, with record-breaking heatwaves in the region. In June 2024, the El Paso area experienced its hottest June on record, with daily highs reaching 109°F. These extreme temperatures, combined with the physically demanding journey many migrants endure, have made the situation even more deadly.

Despite the dangers, many migrants continue to attempt to cross the border, often following longer and more perilous routes to avoid detection. Smugglers are reported to lead migrants through remote areas, leaving them weak and dehydrated after weeks or months without adequate food or water.

Nearly half of the migrants who died in New Mexico this year were women, many between the ages of 20 and 29. The number of deaths in New Mexico now rivals those in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, where 114 presumed migrants died in the first eight months of 2024.

Authorities and advocates are urging for increased resources and attention to the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing that crossing the border should not be a death sentence.