Every summer, as temperatures rise to the three digits, there are concerns for the thousands of migrants crossing through the remote areas of the Sonoran Desert. The Arizona Republic reports that 17 bodies have been recovered for the month of June and a total of 48 migrants have been found dead since the beginning of the year, according to Pima County Chief Medical Examiner Gregory Hess.
Summer is the most concerning time for immigration rights and humanitarian groups like Humane Borders and No Más Muertes/No More Deaths. The latter leaves gallons of water (all with messages of encouragement), canned food and medicine in desert areas migrants are likely to walk through. Humane Borders volunteers fill up water tanks that hold 30+ gallons, also in areas where they notice a pattern of high migrant activity. If volunteers come across migrants who need medical attention, they’re prepared to help. Then, there are also times when they have to get Border Patrol involved to save people’s lives.
On Thursday, I went on a 12-hour water run to the western part of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument with Joel Smith of Humane Borders. The organization also has water tanks in other portions of Organ Pipe, as well as in the desert of Altar Valley in Sasabe, and in Ironwood Forest National Monument, near Marana.
This water saves humans. The issue of humanitarian aid shouldn’t be up for discussion, even as politics continuously dehumanize migrants.
I’m eternally grateful to people like Joel, who volunteer entire days to try to save as many valuable lives as possible.
This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2016.
Criminal invading leeches on American society.
Thanks for this story. It’s beyond disheartening & tragic that this situation persists in our country without any regard to human loss. In order to truly appreciate the complexity of immigration you have to know history, learn of the cause and effect of our policies particularly economic policies and deregulation abroad (NAFTA & CAFTA). To shift blame on the HUMAN BEINGS crossing speaks volumes of your lack of understanding. Our economic policies created the need for others to seek better economic opportunities to survive. We cannot wipe our hands of our global responsibility.
Number 1. Nobody should be dying in the desert.
Number 2. The United States is not to blame for the world’s problems. In fact, it is incredibly dehumanizing and oppressive to pretend that we are the cause of the economic insecurity and poverty these people are experiencing. This attitude actually reinforces the same colonial and paternal mentality that we should be trying to get rid of. These people are not helpless, they are not children, they do not need us to coddle them and ‘fix’ their country. They need to do it themselves or else the story will just repeat itself.
We did not cause these problems and we are not going to be able to fix them either. People who want to put the blame on ‘NAFTA’ or other trade agreements are selectively forgetting a few hundred years of colonialism and a few thousand years of feudalism and organized tribal warfare before that. THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, JUST LIKE US!!
Number 3. So, what can we do? We can help the people who arrive here in the USA. We can provide education, training. community and support. Maybe someday these people can go home and bring change through force and economic influence. If not, we will at least have a ton of motivated, hard working, caring and strong new Americans. Win, win.
Number 4. Nobody should be dying here in the desert!
And we are told there is not enough water to go around so we need to conserve. The migrant situation is not about NAFTA it’s about Catholicism and birth control.
Mexico and other nations need to sort it out and we should be happy to help. We have no obligation to have our country overrun because other countries can’t manage their own problems.
This President has destroyed border security to buy votes for Democrats. I will never vote for another democrat. If Mr Trump is the only alternative I will vote for him.
I was told that Americans are the greatest producers of global warming. More Americans=more warming.
Next plan please.
Sneaking into the country is a crime. They should charge these idiots with aiding and abetting.
The first time I met a human being crossing into AZ was 1974 while I was hiking in opnm. He was wearing a white collar shirt, black pants and leather dress shoes. I gave him water and food. He was grateful. I hope he is well. My wife and I have met other human beings in the desert. A couple who were lost and without water. (I know there are some violent people who cross.) I get angry and downhearted when I see and hear so much hatred toward other people when it’s an accident of birth that separates you and them. Humane solutions are difficult work.
Accident of birth? That’s a new one. And as far as hatred towards other people…that has been conceived in your mind, by you. I don’t hate them for sneaking in and lying and stealing. I hate a government that continues to punish Americans for these others, and then has citizens trying to defend the deception that is going on.
What is our immigration policy? Do you know that we have one and it comes with enforcements?
Thanks. A new one, means I had an original thought if it’s a new one. Humane solutions are difficult work. Hating the “government”- easy and all too common. Is the government getting anything right?
Not lately. David, read Mexico’s immigration policy. It probably won’t change your mind, but what the Hell.
‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ –Matthew 25:35-40
Compare your thinking to this.
http://www.gotquestions.org
Obey the government for God has established their authority. Are you supporting actions that are in violation of the law? It doesn’t say to pick and choose laws that you like.
Thanks, Joel, for the work that you do. You are a lifesaver and an inspiration.
I think a lot of the points made in this forum are absolutely ridiculous! We are not talking about laws of illegal immigration. We are not talking about catholicism and birth control. we are talking about human beings who will give up their lives to come to our country. whether legal or illegal they are HUMAN BEINGS that just want a better life! Shame on all of you who don’t have the love and compassion inside yourself to be understanding enough for your fellow man to have life necessities no matter what race, would you deny yourself water if stuck in the desert? I think not you would be grateful to find a gallon of water. This man is trying to save human lives that is an important task. GOOD LUCK in the GOOD WORK of LOVE!!!!!
WTF!! Why are we trying to save lives of those breaking the law? They are illegally here period.. send them home.. either alive.. half alive or dead.. who cares!!! They want compassion.. let them come to the Country by the legal matter.