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Two-Part Series: Inside the Immigration Debate

None by KCPW

Struggles and survival on the border

Temma Martin (left) and another volunteer prepare to patrol the Arizona desert with humanitarian group "No More Deaths."

(KCPW News) Last week, Congress voted to build a 700-mile fence along sections of the southern U.S. border. Supporters say a bigger barrier, more guards and high-tech surveillance will prevent people from sneaking in. But the U.S. shares 1,951 miles with Mexico, and as the fence grows higher, many migrants simply choose more remote and dangerous portions to cross. Hundreds die each year in the process.

This summer Salt Lake woman Temma Martin went to the border, hoping to understand why they take such risks. In this two-part series, she shares her experience meeting migrants on the border and working with humanitarian groups that try to help those migrants survive.

Part One:

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Part Two:

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Steve Johnston relaxes at the No More Deaths Camp in Arizona.

Migrants Jose and Mario leave the shelter in Altar, headed for the U.S. border.

Leo, Enyo and Pilar sit outside the migrant shelter in Altar, Mexico.

A wooden cross marks the site of a body found in the desert.

A pair of panties abandoned by migrants on the trail.

Human Borders founder Reverend Robin Hoover poses near water tanks his group maintains for migrants in the desert.

For more information about the humanitarian groups mentioned in this story, visit No More Deaths and Humane Borders.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW

1. Claudia Jorgensen said:

Hi, I really like your inmmigrtation debate. I'm inmmigrant fron Mexico, and I thank you for what are you doing. I'll like to help my people and to many ways, and it breaks my hearth to see hoe my people is being mistreat when all we want is work.

Godbless you.

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