Texas Gov. Rick Perry appealed to the compassion of federal authorities and called for immediate action to stop the pour of young border crossers into the United States, saying many will die during their desert journey.
In his words: The Rio Grande Valley will be home to a “trail of tears” from the deaths of many of the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children who are attempting to cross illegally into America, the Los Angeles Times reported.
He’s not alone in that view.
“The governor’s right — it’s going to be a really bad year,” said Lori Baker, an associate professor of forensic anthropology at Baylor University who’s spent several years excavating and analyzing the remains of immigrants, the Los Angeles Times reported. “There are just so, so many people crossing. We’re not [even] going to find a lot of the remains.”
Most of those crossing in recent times have failed to realize the dangers of the desert and dress and plan appropriately, officials say.
“If we find one body, we’re probably missing 10,” said Brooks County Chief Deputy Sheriff Urbino Martinez said, citing in the Los Angeles Times that his county recovered 87 bodies last year, 129 the year before, and 33 so far in 2014, the Los Angeles Times reported. His predictions for the coming summer months: “More death,” he said.
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Just last week, deputies discovered the remains of a 16-year-old from Central America, the Los Angeles Times reported. Just a couple days ago, they saved another youth from Central America who was suffering from exposure.
Mr. Perry, along with other Texas officials, ordered a “surge” of supplies to be sent to the border to help crossers in desperate straits, via a $1.3 million weekly boost to Texas Department of Public Safety budget rolls.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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