Border Patrol tallies record 557 migrant deaths on US-Mexico border in 2021 fiscal year
By Geneva Sands, CNN
Updated 9:25 PM ET, Fri October 29, 2021
(CNN)US Border Patrol recorded more migrant deaths on the US southern border in fiscal year 2021 than in any prior year on record, according to data shared by the agency Thursday.
There were 557 Southwest border deaths during the fiscal year, which ended September 30. That's up from 254 deaths in fiscal year 2020 and 300 deaths in 2019, marking a significant increase amid a 30-record year for border crossings. The agency data on deaths dates to 1998.
A majority of migrant border deaths have been related to heat exposure, according to the agency. Migrants often face dangerous terrain and can get lost as they try to make their way to the US.
Several factors led to the increase in recorded deaths, including more people crossing the border and an increased effort by the agency to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and document cases.
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