Mexico’s National Commission on Human Rights (CNDH) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are bringing national attention to a frightening dynamic developing along the U.S.-Mexico border. In spite of a large drop in immigration numbers, migrant deaths this year are threatening record increases!
CNDH and ACLU’s joint report criticizes both countries’ roles in this growing problem. In a recent press release , Executive Director at ACLU’s San Diego and Imperial County office, Kevin Keenan emphasized, “The current policies in place on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have created a humanitarian crisis that has led to the deaths of more than 5,000 people.”
Their report calls for action and a pragmatic shift in both border security strategy and immigration policies. ACLU’s Field and Policy Director, Andrea Guerrero, explains, “Instead of policies that foster fatalities, we need sensible, humane immigration and border policies that prioritize human life over death.”
Enforcement-only approaches to curbing immigration push migrants farther into the desert, where many, including young adults, find themselves unprepared and unable to survive the desert’s harsh climate. Humanitarian groups, such as Arizona’s No More Deaths, have found their efforts to ensure adequate water sources are located throughout high-traffic areas are being met with strong opposition by government officials , despite attempts to arrive at reasonable agreements protecting both immigrants and the environment.
Clearly, the U.S. must develop a humane strategy to regulating immigration. Until then, humanitarian efforts should not only be supported, but also expanded to eliminate the unjust deaths occurring in our Borderlands.
Click here to read the full text of ACLU and CNDH’s report.
