Missing Migrants Along the US-Mexico Border
In the 1990s through the 2000s, increased border security measures were enacted to deter potential unauthorized migrants from crossing the border (Dunn, 2009). These measures deliberately caused migration flows to shift into the most dangerous, remote parts of the border, thereby creating an even higher risk during unauthorized border crossings. This policy was enacted with the hope that the risk would outweigh any reward. To date, reports of exact numbers of migrant deaths along the border are inconclusive. In many cases, the missing are unreported or authorities are unable to link recovered remains to missing persons reports. Nevertheless, academic research indicates that border control measures are not a successful deterrent, and instead many migrants are dying to cross the border (Eschbach et al, 1999). The Colibrí Center for Human Rights in Tucson, Arizona works to connect missing person reports with unidentified remains brought to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner. Utilizing data collected by the Colibrí Center, this study illustrates demographic information on the missing. This research contributes to the systematic documentation of missing migrants and migrant deaths along the US-Mexico border and aims to raise awareness of the detrimental impact current immigration policies have on not only migrants but also families and communities throughout Mexico and Central America.