Amid high temperatures, immigrant deaths, rescues down in South Texas

McALLEN — Record high temperatures topping 100 degrees in recent weeks here in South Texas have made illegally entering the country on foot even more dangerous than usual.

But the number of immigrants willing to brave the region’s desolate and perilous ranch country on foot has significantly dropped with the downturn in the economy, authorities said.

Apprehensions in the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector are down 24 percent from the same time last year, said John Lopez, a local agency spokesman.

The number of dead immigrants discovered by agents is also down. Just 19 have been reported in the sector since October, compared to 97 the year before.

Rescues of illegal immigrants found in distress in the Valley sector have declined, as well, with 57 since October, Lopez said. There were 252 the year before.

"With less people coming in, there’s less people needing rescue," Lopez said.

Border Patrol agents announced in March the deployment of two "rescue beacons" along routes illegal immigrants commonly use in Brooks County. The beacons are painted red and stand about 25 feet tall. Operating instructions are provided in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese and are illustrated with a cartoon diagram.

Since deploying the beacons, agents have also installed signs that guide people to them.

Last month a group of Chinese immigrants in distress used a beacon to summon agents for assistance, Lopez said.

"Without intervention, of course, maybe they could have lost their lives," he said. "It is a dangerous situation to attempt to walk through the brush."

After the group recovered, they were processed for deportation, Lopez said. Others have been less fortunate. Just this month alone, several illegal immigrants apparently making their way through the region have lost their lives in the process.

Two Mexican nationals have died since July 1, said Miriam Medel, spokeswoman for the Mexican Consulate in McAllen. One perished on a ranch in Brooks County and another drowned in the Rio Grande near Weslaco.

An unidentified man of uncertain nationality also died in ranch country on July 3, and a 25-year-old Salvadoran national died June 29 on the Alta Vista Ranch, officials said.

The deaths, unfortunately, are typical for the hot summer months, Medel said.

"It is extreme conditions," she said. "And it certainly takes a toll on people’s health — and life."