Border Patrol Rescue Beacons

I am doing an in-depth research project on Humane Borders, a faith based organization that maintains water stations throughout the desert. The piece isn't done yet, but I have discovered something I stongly support - Border Patrol Rescue Beacons.

You see, what Humane Borders does has become quite controversial. Many say that because the organization provides water for illegal immigrants, they are aiding or supporting illegal immigration. Humane Borders strongly denies these accusations and says they are just doing the humane thing; providing people with water. That seems like a legitimate argument. People have to be pretty coldblooded to argue against saving lives and stopping suffering. But a few of the border patrol agents I spoke with raised a legitimate concern. They say that the coyotes are now using the water stations as a selling point. The coyotes convince immigrants that they will survive the journey because there are water stations in the desert to help them. In reality though, the desert is huge and vast and there are only about 80 stations so the chances of finding one is slim. But with the idea that help will be available the immigrants head out into a deadly desert with a false sense of hope.

So back to my original point - border patrol rescue beacons. The agents that I spoke with said that this is thier alternative the water stations. The rescue beacons are 40 feet tall stations, with bright blue lights on top, and a button with a sign that reads push for assistance. The sign is in English, Spanish, Tohono O'odham and also has a picture gram. When the button is pushed trained medical personnel respond immediately to help the immigrants. Then, because these beacons are operated by the border patrol the immigrants are returned to Mexico. It seems like a win-win situation. People don't die, and nobody can be accused of aiding illegal immigration.

An argument against the beacons that crossed my mind is that the illegal immigrants won't use the beacons because they don't want to return to Mexico. But, I think if the choice is between death and returning home, they will return home. Besides, according to Humane Borders the point of the water stations is not to help illegal immigrants make it into the US, it is to make sure they don't perish in the desert. The border patrol beacons will do just that.

The one problem I see with these beacons is that there are not enough of them. One of the agents I spoke with was concerned that because there were only 80 Humane Borders' water stations in the desert, immigrants that were relying on them would not be able to locate one. Compare that 80 to the 21 rescue beacons that are currently in the desert and the problem seems much worse. The beacons are a great idea, but there needs to be A LOT more of them.

Here are some links to press releases from the border patrol talking about the success of the beacons.

CBP Arizona Border Patrol Rescues Six Over Weekend

CBP Border Patrol Rescues 14 More Illegal Aliens

Here is a story in the Washington Post about the beacons.

Desert beacons lead to illegals

Here is a story in National Geographic that talks about the beacons. Also, check out the photo gallery that is attached to the story. It tells the story better than words can.

Border Patrol: Along the Devil's Highway