Texas Heat Claims 30 Illegal Immigrants
The Immigration and Naturalization Service said Friday that 30 illegal immigrants have died of exhaustion and dehydration in the last month after crossing the Rio Grande into Texas on foot and falling prey to the oppressive heat. Temperatures in the area recently have routinely hit 110 degrees.
Tomas Zuniga of the INS said many of the immigrants were from urban areas and were unaware of the dangers of being stranded in the heat.
The INS plans to mount a publicity campaign in cooperation with Mexican authorities to discourage people from putting their lives at risk by embarking on such a hazardous journey. The campaign will include U.S.-funded advertisements on Mexican radio stations.
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