Migrants found dead in the back of tractor-trailer in Texas

Tragedy in Texas

Authorities in Texas were alerted on Monday, June 27th, 2022 of a deadly incident in San Antonia where at least 46 migrants were found dead in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer. The truck driving the tractor-trailer appeared to have been abandoned in a remote area near railroad tracks and salvage yards.

The migrants were discovered after someone working in a nearby business heard a cry for help and came to investigate. Upon arriving, the worker found the trailer doors partially open with one individual outside the truck and a number of bodies inside. Rescuers on site were able to pull at least 16 individuals including 4 children who were still alive out of the truck.

These individuals were later transported to the hospital to receive medical care where they are being treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration. It is believed that the migrants who were found dead died due to the extreme heat affecting the Texas area at the time coupled with dehydration in the tractor-trailer which had no visible working air conditioning unit in the back nor signs of any water in the vehicle.

According to state and local authorities, 3 people associated with this smuggling operation have been taken into custody. Homeland Security Investigations (a DHS unit that specializes in investigating cases of smuggling) is now handling the case.

A surge in migration at the border leads to illegal smuggling

Unfortunately, deadly smuggling incidences like these are common in the Texas area which remains one of the most heavily trafficked borders areas in the United States. However, this recent tragedy is the worst so far and most likely will not be the last. Authorities working at the U.S. southern border have reported a surge in migration and estimate that more than 2 million arrests regarding illegal crossing will be made in the 2022 fiscal year.

In addition to migrants from Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, and Haiti, immigration authorities have seen a growing number of migrants from Turkey, India, Russia, and other nations outside the Western Hemisphere trying to enter the United States through Mexico. Many of these migrants were automatically turned away from applying for asylum at the border due to the continued use of Title 42. It is believed that the continued use of Title 42, which rejects foreign nationals from applying for asylum at the border on the basis that they were potentially exposed to a deadly and communicable virus, will force desperate migrants to enter the United States through smuggled operations.

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