Posted on 01/01/2007 11:54:13 AM PST by calcowgirl
Illegal immigrants planning to cross the desert and enter the US on foot are to be given hand-held satellite devices by the Mexican authorities to ensure they arrive safely.
Those who get lost or fall sick during the dangerous four-day crossing will be able to activate the device, to alert frontier police on both sides of the border.
The satellite tracking service will require would-be illegals to register their intentions before setting off — a paradoxical move, given that secrecy is necessary for success — but Mexican authorities are predicting that about 200,000 devices will be handed out when the project is launched formally in the coming year.
"Our intention is to save lives," said Jaime Obregon, the co-ordinator for the state commission for migrants in Puebla, the Mexican state which is behind the project. "There are lots of people looking to cross and we are working with the US authorities to make sure they do not die on the way."
Between 20 and 30 migrants succumb to hellish temperatures and insect bites while attempting to cross into Arizona every year. Heat exhaustion sometimes causes short-term memory loss, with trekkers wandering aimlessly into the desert.
The route into Arizona, known as the Sasave Pass, is both the most common and the most dangerous way into the US. According to Mexican state migrant authorities, up to 75,000 attempt the crossing every month, of whom between 50,000 and 60,000 are caught by US border patrols and sent back.
The chance of success depends greatly on the knowledge of the guide, known as a "coyote" or "desert fox". They charge between $2,000 and $10,000 per person (£1,025-£5,100).
Coyotes are merciless if a member of their pack lags behind. "If you cannot keep up they will abandon you." said Mr Obregon. "Alone, you have about 36 hours to live. It is in this period the satellite device makes a difference."
A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection said: "We do not have any information about the Mexican government providing satellite trackers to people, but we strongly discourage encouragement to people who are attempting to cross illegally into the US."
If these divices cost several hundred thousands of dollars, you can bet the Mexican govt is not giving them out. That is way more than one Mexican can send back in remittances.
"...I paid about $120 for my Garmin GPS..."
My Magellan ExPlorist 200 was $118 on sale at REI. Wonderful little device, I carry it everywhere. Not a lot of bells & whistles, but plenty good enough.
And re: others ' comments re: tracking, I think the basic ones are receive only, not sure they can be tracked.
Our government is probably totally going along with this. Funny, isn't it? Its like we aren't even talking about this country.
And don't forget the CD's that one governor in Mexico had made up for his "trusted travelers".
There's no stopping them, and our government is hellbent on making them all citizens. We might as well save our money on the wall (that's never going to be built anyway!!) Let's build a whole bunch of prisons in the desert and let Sheriff Joe Arpao run them. Since we won't be needing any border patrol officers, we should make them sheriff's deputies and assign them to guard the criminals from Mexico and other 3rd world countries in those new prisons!! It would be cheaper and much less frustrating.
How about a human chain of Americans for a statement?
Good idea, also ask the geeks if they can re-program them such that, when the spanish language is selected for the display , it starts a sub-routine that spins the compass direction by 180 degrees every half hour or so
Unnecessary, imo, if we build a fence and put a map on the other side with the arrow showing "you are here" in English and Spanish...
That's a Foreign Gov't
Sanctioned INVASION!
And Happy New Year to you!
Borders Language Culture - Michael Savage has been sounding the alarm - bump.
Also making a difference are the tens of millions of dollars that our government spends each year to rescue these people. Ever heard of the Border Patrol's Border Safety Initiative? The following is from their website:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/safety_initiative.xml
The Helping Hand: Search, Trauma, and Rescue Efforts Each year, the Border Patrol rescues thousands of people who have been abandoned by alien smugglers in areas such as mountains, deserts, and rivers. A life saving tool in aiding those in distress is the Border Patrol CBP Border Patrol BORSTAR Agents carry an injured man to safety. Search Trauma and Rescue Team (BORSTAR) BORSTAR is an elite unit trained in various facets of search and rescue and capable of responding to emergency situations along our southern border. In addition to focusing on our priority mission of keeping terrorist and terrorist weapons from entering the United States and enforcing U.S. immigration laws, a vital role of the Border Patrol's mission, through BSI, is to educate the public in regards to the risks and dangers associated with illegal crossings.
Since the inception of the BSI, Border Patrol Agents have rescued over 7,500 persons along the southwest border. For more see Notable Rescues. Providing agents with emergency medical technician (EMT) training. Establishing rescue beacons in the high risk desert areas to assist those individuals in distress that are lost and in need of medical assistance.
Smugglers and human traffickers are criminals who have no regard for human life. Many efforts have been initiated to assist those persons who do not heed these warnings. Some of those efforts are listed below: ...
Since the inception of the BSI, Border Patrol Agents have rescued over 7,500 persons along the southwest border. For more see Notable Rescues.
Providing agents with emergency medical technician (EMT) training.
Establishing rescue beacons in the high risk desert areas to assist those individuals in distress that are lost and in need of medical assistance.
Throughout the Southwest border, emergency vehicles have been equipped with first-aid kits and medical supplies to assist in responding to both cold and hot weather emergencies; and ensuring that the majority of vehicles that patrol waterways are equipped with additional flotation devices.
Go for it
That is the problem... Our children and grandchildren ARE beginning to take charge.
now that is what I was thinking of...
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