ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The tragic toll on migrant lives near the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico has seen a dramatic rise, with ten times more fatalities reported in the last two years compared to five years ago. Smuggling organizations are reportedly leading migrants—who often arrive severely fatigued, dehydrated, and without enough nutrition—through perilous terrains such as deserts, canyons, and mountainous regions west of El Paso, Texas.

Recent statistics reveal that in the initial eight months of 2024, 108 bodies, primarily of migrants from Mexico and Central America, were found close to the New Mexico border, often within a 10-mile radius of El Paso. In contrast, only 113 presumed migrant remains were discovered throughout all of 2023, a stark increase from the mere nine bodies found in 2020 and ten in 2019.

Although the exact reasons behind this surge in migrant deaths remain uncertain, many experts attribute it to the increasingly brutal methods employed by smugglers, who are leading migrants along more treacherous paths during extreme summer heat. This spike in fatalities has placed considerable pressure on the University of New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator, responsible for identifying the deceased and conducting autopsies that frequently reveal heat-related causes of death.

Heather Edgar, a forensic anthropologist with the office, expressed a mix of sadness and horror at the rising death toll, noting that the trend had remained consistently low for an extended period. To cope with the increased number of fatalities, the office has expanded its team of deputy medical investigators, growing from three to about nine or ten in the eastern migration corridor of New Mexico.

As the upcoming presidential election on November 5 draws near, immigration and border security continue to rank among voters’ primary concerns. However, candidates have predominantly focused on strategies to prevent migrants from entering the U.S. and on deportations of individuals already in the country.

Humanitarian advocates have raised alarms over the growing number of deaths, pointing out that smugglers are now directing migrants into New Mexico through gaps in fencing at the Sunland Park border and across lower barriers near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. Analyst Adam Isacson emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that individuals are finding themselves in dire circumstances only a short distance from urban areas, sometimes as close as 1,000 feet from busy roads. He suggested that implementing more water stations, better telecommunications, and enhanced rescue operations could save lives.

In response, New Mexico has intensified its efforts against human trafficking, successfully apprehending 16 suspects and rescuing 91 victims of trafficking. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has deployed a surveillance blimp to monitor migration patterns and increased the use of mobile radar towers to keep watch over the area.

In recent years, officials have introduced 30 additional emergency beacons to assist those in distress along remote border locations in New Mexico and western Texas. Over 500 signs with location coordinates and 911 instructions have also been set up to aid individuals seeking help. During the past summer, Border Patrol expanded its search and rescue mission, increasing patrols with the necessary medical personnel and surveillance gear.

In the last year alone, Border Patrol reported rescuing nearly 1,000 migrants in New Mexico and western Texas, an increase from the approximately 600 rescues in the preceding year. Dylan Corbett, executive director of the Hope Border Institute in El Paso, mentioned that faith-based teams are actively distributing water bottles for migrants along the hazardous corridor.

The surge in migrant fatalities correlates with organized crime’s systematic operations in the region, which has been exacerbated by enhanced enforcement measures in Texas and new U.S. asylum regulations introduced by President Biden. Climate change poses an additional challenge, with increased likelihood of heat waves contributing to the harsh conditions. For instance, the El Paso area recorded its hottest June ever this year, with temperatures peaking at 109°F (42.7°C).

These soaring temperatures can pose serious risks for migrants undertaking exhaustive journeys. Some smugglers are believed to be leading individuals through more extended, treacherous paths, often near dangerous cliffs, as seen at the prominent Mount Cristo Rey.

Deputy Chief Border Patrol Agent Juan Bernal from the El Paso Sector emphasized the vulnerability of migrants arriving at the border. Having often gone weeks without proper food and water, these individuals face difficult treks once they reach the border.

Even amid a general decline in migration numbers following the implementation of new asylum rules, the deaths of migrants in New Mexico have risen significantly, now paralleling the grim statistics from Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, where 114 presumed migrants were found deceased in the same eight-month time frame of 2024.

Alarmingly, nearly half of the deceased individuals in New Mexico this year were women, with those in the 20 to 29 age bracket comprising the largest group. Heart-wrenching posts from families, pleading for the safe return of missing loved ones, have been a painful reminder of the realities faced by these migrants.

“It should not be a death sentence to come to the United States,” remarked Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Maj. Jon Day during a recent community meeting, reaffirming the pressing need for solutions to address this escalating crisis.