Laura Mae Williams, who recovers bodies for the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office, has seen a significant increase in deaths of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the desert just west of El Paso, Texas. The office has recovered a record-breaking 121 sets of remains so far this year, a thirteenfold increase from five years ago. Many of these deaths are heat-related, as the small stretch of desert reaches temperatures well into the triple digits in summer. People who have migrated are often not well-hydrated or well-fed, having spent days in poor conditions in smugglers’ safe houses.
The spike in deaths is largely attributed to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which has prompted smugglers to attempt routes west of the city in New Mexico. Abbott’s press secretary blames the federal government for the deaths, stating that the operation aims to deter illegal crossings and redirect migrants to use legal border crossings.
This increase in deaths fits a historical pattern, as migrants often begin dying in greater numbers when enforcement efforts push smuggling routes into more remote and dangerous areas. The New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office blames smugglers for the deaths, noting that they abandon people who fall behind after taking their phones. Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner, questions why leaving a person in the desert to die is not considered homicide by neglect. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border and the complex factors contributing to their deaths.
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