Searching for hope, 32 migrants were pushed to extremes in an attempt to enter the U.S.
The 41-year-old from a small town in central
But none of them made it to their intended destinations. The boat crashed into a reef off Point Loma and splintered.
The maritime tragedy last Sunday served as a stark illustration of how decades of heightened enforcement have pushed many unauthorized cross-border journeys to extremes, sometimes with deadly consequences. And experts fear coronavirus border restrictions, including the inability to access the asylum system, could lead to a rising death toll.
"We say this is horrible as if it's something happening in isolation, but it's been happening as a result of policies we have, and we're going to keep seeing this happen,"
So far this year, at least 110 people have died during attempts to cross the
Remote desert and maritime routes are increasingly popular options for migrants trying to sneak in undetected and avoid being immediately turned back to
Maritime apprehensions in the
For many of the passengers who boarded the boat last weekend, the draw of reuniting with family and children in
"Sometimes they rely on traffickers who might tell them this is really easy. I think it is usually misleading," González Gutiérrez said in an interview. "They risk more than what they should in order to get across.
"I think it shows you people are desperate, and they are willing to go to extremes in order to come back to the
Perilous journeyChavez Segovia, a single mother, left behind her children and mother in the small town of Amaelco de Bonfil in the state of
According to court records, the passengers, all Mexican nationals except for one Guatemalan, had paid
"This is the business of organized crime," said González Gutiérrez. "They get involved because of how profitable it is for them." To compare, a land route or trip over the border fence usually costs anywhere from
For this trip, most of the fee was expected to be paid upon successful arrival in the
But for unknown reasons, the boat ran aground about 50 feet off the
Some witnesses joined what turned into a massive rescue effort.
A few passengers had life vests, authorities said, but it was unknown if everyone onboard had access to one. Dramatic video recorded by witnesses showed some life vests wash ashore.
She had been taken to
Quick identifications of the deceased were made possible, with help from the
In interviews with the
Being a material witness means survivors will be ordered to remain in
The prosecution could take a year or longer, creating a limbo status for the passengers.
"Those who have tried this several times, they are more interested in knowing their legal situation and the possibility of them remaining in the
Some survivors who had traveled together from the same hometown have asked consular officials what happened to their companions, if they were among the dead.
Three of the passengers are minors: a girl, 14, and two boys, 15 and 17.
Mexican migrationMigration of single adults from
A top reason is Title 42, which allows for multiple crossing attempts with fewer repercussions, as well as the stark economic downturn that
"There are more Mexicans coming, and there's more recidivism because of Title 42,"
Those choosing to cross by boat or other notoriously dangerous means,
"That's telling you that there's very strong push factors in
Garcia, of Border Angels, hears the desperation daily in the migrant encampments in
"They fall prey to people telling them they can get across in other ways," Garcia said. "They're looking for hope."
Garcia said that was the case for a teenage boy in March who was offered the chance to cross through the border fence near
Then there are the many migrants who just disappear.
"People regularly call us saying 'I know my family member tried to reach the
Return to MexicoThe siblings of
Repatriations usually take two weeks, according to Gabriela Castañeda of Funeraria La Paz, which will repatriate
The funeral home in
Castañeda said Degollado's wife showed up to the funeral home in tears, accompanied by family members. He will be repatriated to the Mexican state of
The funeral home, which serves mostly families of Mexican descent, has assisted with other immigration-related deaths before, including instances of bodies found in the desert at the border.
Castañeda said sometimes she sees families feeling guilty about supporting their relative's trek to the
What caught Castañeda's attention the most in the case of
"I imagine she was coming entrusted to God," Castañeda said. "I imagine she prayed to God. I imagine she was coming with the hope of being here, of working, arriving."
Now
"Not until she sees a body."
Staff writer
This story originally appeared in
___
(c)2021 The San Diego Union-Tribune
Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Federal Government Changing Flood Insurance Pricing Model
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News