It Could Happen Here Mapping Border Deaths
Aug 6, 2025
A revealing discussion highlights a new map that sheds light on the tragic toll of border deaths, exposing systemic undercounting related to U.S. deterrence policies. The conversation dives into the complexities of data collection, showcasing discrepancies between official and actual figures. Personal stories illustrate the harsh reality faced by migrants and their families caught in dangerous border conditions. There’s a call for transparency, accountability, and more humane approaches to immigration, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and change.
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Scale of Border Deaths
- Thousands of migrant deaths have been recorded along the U.S.-Mexico border from various sources like medical examiners and Border Patrol data.
- The deaths represent only a portion of actual fatalities due to data gaps and underreporting.
Texas Data Fragmentation
- Texas data on migrant deaths is especially fragmented due to medical examiners' reluctance and incomplete autopsy processes.
- Many deaths are thus undercounted or unreported in that state, skewing national totals.
Border Patrol Undercounting Deaths
- Border Patrol systematically undercounts migrant deaths, using flawed databases and inconsistent criteria.
- Their data often excludes cases despite direct involvement in incidents causing deaths or misclassifies cause of death.