Map Details Deaths Near US Border Surveillance Towers

An extensive 15-month investigation, a collaboration between MIT Technology Review and Times of San Diego, has produced the first comprehensive map and analysis of migrant deaths occurring in proximity to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) surveillance towers along the US-Mexico border. The investigation was prompted by a central question: why were so many individuals dying near these towers, which are intended to enhance tracking and apprehension efforts? This initiative, part of a larger project titled "Dying on Camera," delved into the shortcomings of border surveillance technology and the human stories of those who perish in the borderlands.

To construct this detailed analysis, journalists meticulously reviewed thousands of government documents, conducted multiple site visits to the border region, and conducted interviews with over 45 individuals. These sources included former White House advisors, presidential appointees, Border Patrol agents, medical examiners, sheriffs, humanitarian volunteers, and employees from technology companies involved in border surveillance. The data collection focused on pinpointing the locations of migrant deaths and the installation dates and locations of CBP towers. The analysis encompassed cases dating back to 2015, providing a broad perspective across different border policies, presidential administrations, and evolving tower technologies.

The US-Mexico border is recognized as one of the world's most perilous land borders. Border Patrol estimates that over 10,000 individuals have died during border crossings since the year 2000, a figure widely acknowledged as an undercount. Publicly available information regarding the specific locations, times, and identities of these deceased individuals is often fragmented. Some remains are never found, and for those that are, there is no standardized national protocol for managing the associated records. The investigation considered a case for further analysis only if it could be confirmed that the individual was believed to be in the process of crossing the border, and if the location where remains were found could be identified.

The project aimed to create a verifiable dataset to understand the correlation between surveillance infrastructure and migrant fatalities. The methodology involved cross-referencing reported deaths with the deployment of surveillance technology, acknowledging the inherent limitations in data availability and accuracy. The investigation highlights a critical disconnect between the stated purpose of surveillance towers—to improve safety and security—and the documented reality of deaths occurring in their vicinity. The findings underscore systemic issues within border management and surveillance strategies, prompting a re-evaluation of their effectiveness and humanitarian impact.