U.S. Border Patrol’s dire heat warning for migrants trying to cross the southwest deserts
EL CENTRO, CA (AZFamily) — Migrants from across the globe daily travel through the desert at the United States’ southern border.
With temperatures starting to increase, the U.S. Border Patrol is warning people about the dangerous conditions of traveling through the desert.
Border Patrol officers assigned to the El Centro, California sector guided members of the media through Skull Valley, an area along the California-Mexico border that got its name because of the numerous people who have died here over the years.
It’s a popular route for people crossing illegally into the U.S., but a dangerous one in the extreme heat.
“Most of the time in the summer, it’s 122-120 degrees. That’s air temperature as the sun bounces off the sand it can get much hotter on the desert floor. You can’t carry enough water to cross the desert,” said Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino.
Bovino said people who can’t keep up get left for dead by human smugglers.
“Many of these folks haven’t had any sleep, are probably not hydrated properly, haven’t had any food so often when they get around here they’re already in trouble,” he said.
Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border is historically a deadly journey.
In Arizona, officials confirmed 45 migrant deaths so far this year.
In Skull Valley, Bovino said they have seen fewer deaths in the El Centro Sector over the years.
Last year, nine people died making the journey. So far, three people have died in 2024.
He said the 30-foot border fence has curbed foot traffic, and they have added devices like rescue beacons that send out an emergency signal to help stranded folks.
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