Attempts to seek safety have led to the drowning of two children along the U.S. Mexico Border

For Immediate Release: august 24, 2022

El Paso, Texas — The body of a 5-year-old girl was recovered from the Rio Grande on Monday during a crossing attempt. Another drowning incident resulted in the death of a 3-year-old boy, whose body was recovered from the Rio Grande near International Bridge II by U.S. Border Patrol Agents. A two-month-old boy was also recovered from the river.

Crystal Sandoval, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center (LAIAC) and Co-director of Las Americas Mexico (LAMX) released the following statement: 

"Our hearts go out to all the families affected by this preventable and horrific tragedy. These deaths were the consequence of inhumane policies that leave vulnerable people, and little ones like Margaret Sofia and her mom, fleeing for their lives without a safe and orderly way to come to the U.S. Everyday people are suffering because our leaders fail to act. Where is the fair and humane immigration system we were promised?

“As we grieve the loss of these innocent lives, we call on the Biden administration to finally put an end to harmful policies like Remain in Mexico and Title 42, and restore full access to asylum at the border. U.S. law recognizes asylum as a human right and a legal act. We cannot continue to dehumanize asylum-seekers and migrants, including children, and deny them respect and dignity.”