By The opinion
04 Oct 2023, 1:50 PM EDT
There are already 148 immigrants who have died in the El Paso Sector, Texasamid Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s restrictive policies.
Data from fiscal year 2023, which ended in September, indicate that 148 deaths were recorded in the El Paso Sector of the Border Patrol, more than double that of fiscal year 2022, when 71 deaths were recorded.
“Most deaths (more than 100) occurred between May and Septemberwhen El Paso experienced one of the hottest summers on record with 44 consecutive days of triple-digit heat,” the El Paso Times reported.
That outlet obtained the data in advance and explained that the El Paso Sector of the Border Patrol extends from Hudspeth County in Texas, through New Mexico, to the Arizona state border.
“There are vast areas of desert in southern New Mexico, but by far the deadliest area is centered around Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, in the desert hills outside the metropolitan footprint of El Paso,” it was specified.
Immigrant advocates had anticipated that fiscal year 2023 would be one of the deadliest for immigrants on the border and particularly in Texas, but there are still no official figures.
“It’s not new, but it’s an important issue and there are more numbers,” said El Paso Sheriff’s Office Commander Roberto Rojas.
That sector could end up with a record of more than 400,000 immigrants in fiscal year 2023, that means encounters with immigrants, most of whom are expelled.
Governor Abbott has criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and implemented Operation Lone Star, to pursue immigrants for invasion of private property, in addition to installing buoys and barbed wire on the border.
In a local media report, through that operation, elements of the Texas National Guard were even ordered to push immigrants into the river, even if they were with families, but said plan was stopped after complaints, injured people and at least two deaths.
Keep reading:
· Texas driver was sentenced for transporting 70 undocumented immigrants hidden in a trailer
· 4 migrants are found executed near the border wall between Tijuana and San Diego.
· Authorities in Mexico rescue 11 migrants kidnapped near the US border.