Our current border policies are killing people. The dramatic increase in security along the border during the last decade has caused a surge in migrant deaths, including 477 last year and 5,000 people during the last 15, as they get pushed farther into remote areas. Militarization of the border means that a migrant today is eight times more likely to die than just 10 years ago. The current border policies that the Senate bill doubles-down on also support a booming business for human trafficking organizations, mostly run by drug cartels, which promise safe passage. These humanitarian crises will only worsen with the massive military style build-up envisioned in the Senate bill.

via Guest Column: Border Security Measures Will Harm Texas | The Texas Tribune.