Border Crosser Deaths Spike During Wet Winter
Monday, 29 March 2010 07:59
The wet winter months this year spiked the number of deaths for those crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border. There could be other explanations for this particular increase, but Pima County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Parks believes the unusual amount of rain this year is to blame.
Arizona is known for illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border into the U.S. In fact, Arizona’s numbers are “higher than any other part of the country and have been for ten years now,” said Parks.
The main cause of death for border crossers is still heat, peaking at 194 deaths last year. Cold-related deaths used to be quite low on the list, but Parks says it might be making a jump to fourth on the list if this current trend continues.
The numbers of deaths during the winter months has always remained quite low. The unusually high amount of rainfall this winter is a major factor in the death toll increase.
“Thirteen is definitely an increase for the area that we serve,” says Parks whose area of jurisdiction includes Pima, Santa Cruz and Pinal counties.
When people attempt to cross the U.S.-Mexico Border in the rain, their bodies can lose tremendous amounts of heat. The day after a major rainstorm could lead to finding more deceased bodies, said Parks.
“We encounter aliens who suffer from frostbite and hypothermia during the winter months,” said Border Patrol spokeswoman Colleen Agle. “Many individuals have to be rescued.”
There have been a few drowning cases involving canals and washes. Immigrants will sometimes run through the water and get swept away by the current. Car crashes into canals have also occurred.
Organizations such as No More Deaths (NMD) give direct aid to border crossers.
“During the winter months, NMD volunteers carry more cold weather gear with them such as emergency blankets, sweatshirts, sweaters, warm socks and dry shoes to provide to distressed migrants we may encounter,” said No More Deaths spokeswoman Sarah Launius.
NMD carries out four or five desert patrols a week during the winter months and operates in the Altar Valley region of Southern Arizona near Ruby, Three Points and Green Valley. NMD also partners with other organizations to run migrant aid stations in Nogales, Naco and Agua Prieta near the ports of entry, according to Launius.
View Ports of Entry and Aid Stations in a larger map
Written by Christina Stymfal You are reading Border Crosser Deaths Spike During Wet Winter articles
News
- Tucson Reacts to TUSD Mexican-American Studies Elimination
- Bombing Range Offers Pristine Wilderness
- Alla Frefer: A Libyan-American Experience
- The Gangs of Tucson
- Local Group Asks Residents for City Planning Advice
- 2011 Democratic Election Night Party Live Coverage
- Tucson Elections
- Immigration live blog
Culture
People
Education
Health
Sports
- Former UA Tennis Player Redirects His Passion for the Game
- Soccer: The New Flavor of Tucson Sports
- 2012 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup Kick Off
- International Student-Athletes, Bringing More Than Just Competition
- Bikes across borders
- Vacation for Both Sides of the Border
- International Athletes at the UA
- International Tennis Seniors' Final Homestand
Food
- Sushi Chef: Noboru Nakajima
- A Tortilla-Making Family Tradition
- Pin-up Pastries Enjoys Huge Success at Tucson Meet Yourself
- Tucson Eat Yourself: El Guero Canelo
- Tamales for Local Happiness
- A Festival Full of Culture
- Food Vendors Caught on Camera
- Pin-Up Serving Attractive Pastries at Tucson Meet Yourself
Twitter Updates
Related Items
Who's Online
We have 37 guests onlineBorder Beat Blogs
By: Alexandra Newman
This blog compares Mexican and American women in terms of their culture's beauty ideals and traditional gender roles.
By: Audrey A. Fitzsimmons
The Southwest boasts of diverse ethnic backgrounds and a wealth of interesting personalities. Border Personalities is dedicated to the people of the Southwest and their stories.
By: Brett Haupt
A visual exploration of America’s last frontier -- pictures and videos from different areas of the wall and fence that separate two different worlds and insight into what really stands between the United States and Mexico, ramifications of wall building and what it means for the average citizen.
By: Charles Misra
Stories about martial arts and combat sports with a cultural twist, all finding a home in America's southwestern borderlands.
Culture CrossingBy: Chelsey Barthel
American borders are crossed every day by cultures of all kind. These stories tell the personal experiences of people from different lands, offering further insight into the difference of cultures.
By: Emily Kjesbo
Spotlighting Mexico’s top travel destinations, as well as a few of its hidden gems.
By: Hope Jamieson
Explore dance throughout the borderlands.
Border PeopleBy: Jamie Turow
Profiles of English language learners.
MLS Soccer comes to the DesertBy: Jeff Kessler
All about the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup, a 10 day exhibition soccer tournament featuring four Major League Soccor teams coming to Tucson.By: Jessica Hoerth
Meet some of the people in Tucson who have made the journey across the border as they share what they came in search of and what struggles they may have encountered along the way.
Border ShotsBy: Keith Perfetti
A photojournalist looks at how other photographers have viewed the border and shoots lesser known spots of the southwest.
By: Lauren Inouye
A look at Mexican and Latin films that reflect culture, politics, and society -- reviews, research and analysis.
By: Lauren Urratio
Fashion and how it is impacted by the border and international cultures.
Border AthletesBy: Lauren Sokol
Meet international student athletes at the University of Arizona, a look at the recruiting process that helped them find a temporary home in the desert, and culture changes that the athletes might have endured.
Public Safety and Crime near the U.S./Mexico Border
By: Lucy Valencia
Public safety along the border and any crime-related issues. A look at issues that occur within the justice system when Mexican and U.S. laws overlap.
A City of Musical DiversityBy: Maria Teracena
Tucson musicians influence and are influenced by the sounds of the world.
The Border ProjectBy: Melissa Guz
"The Border Project" is an art showcase located in the University of Arizona's Museum of Art. It has over 40+ art pieces related to border issues.
Athletics and the BorderBy: Preston Fawcett
Get to know high school coachs and athletes from Arizona border towns or from Mexico and their struggles to get to where they are.
A Mosaic AmericaBy: Rachel Kolinski
"Exploring Diversity one Face at a Time"
Educación en la FronteraBy: Shannon Maule
A look at higher education in regard to those who have and have not been able to travel from various countries to the United States. Stories from people in the higher education world relating to the border.
Music of the BorderBy: Steven Schiraldi
Music reviews of musical works by Mexican or other ethnic artists.