There is an element of responsibility for their deaths in the negligence to maintain border security. I believe in personal responsibility and the illegals carry the primarily fault for their actions but there is a secondary responsibility. Like a property owner who leaves open pits or tangles of barbed wire in disrepair and someone trespasses and injures themselves on it the property owner is liable for dangerous conditions. Everyone knows our country is attractive to illegals and everyone knows those deserts are dangerous. Pro-amnesty pols own the results of their political game playing.
Consider it something like entrapment. The illegal aliens are being aided and abetted by some Americans. The illegals are ultimately responsible, but they know the benefits currently outweigh the risks (thanks to Americans who lack the will to enforce our immigration laws).
Think of what would happen if the IRS started saying they would no longer enforce tax law. Let’s say they believe the tax laws are unfair, so they refuse to audit anyone except the most egregious tax scofflaws. Americans would still be legally required to pay of course, but let’s say it was entirely up to the taxpayer’s integrity. Let’s also say the media agreed with the IRS and kept reporting stories of how Americans were no longer paying and shouldn’t pay.
How many Americans would continue to pay their taxes if there was no enforcement? Well, you’d always have some holdouts, like Christians, who believe in following the law, but many others would be emboldened to stop paying. THAT is exactly what is happening with illegal immigration, and you can even see the illegals are becoming bolder every year. It’s a rational response to the situation.