Immigrants, victims and forgotten by their own people

Why do we all know George Floyd but not the name of any of the 12,500 immigrants who tragically died because of the “Wall” built by the United States in 1994? — a fence built as part of Operation GateKeeper during the administration of President Bill Clinton.

It’s good that we all know the name George Floyd. His death was tragic, as were the deaths of the 12,500 immigrants attempting to cross the border.

Let me share with you information about some of the people who died or were killed at the border:

Before he died after crossing Texas, 5-year-old Marco Antonio Villaseñor asked his father for some water, but received no answer. He then asked another man, who also did not answer; A total of 18 people were unable to help the baby or give him something to drink.

But why was no one able to help the minor? Because they were all dead. Mark Antony also died later.

On this occasion I had to travel to Victoria, Texas, where the tragedy occurred. We met with the families of the victims and gave them all our support, as we have done before with other families.

He drowned in his son’s arms

Lucrecia Dominguez, like many others who wanted to cross the border, did not have the legal documents to do so, but she had two young children: Jesus, 15, and Nora, 8.

She approached a smuggler—a pollero, or coyote—who was planning to cross with a group into the United States the next morning. The man agreed to cross it, but not with his children.

Lucrezia immediately asked him why not. He replied that this could not be done, that the children would delay the group. However, the next day she showed up with her children and finally, with more money, was able to convince him to move the whole family.

Unfortunately, the group crossed, but she and the children remained. At this point, the smuggler decided to leave the mother and two children. Lucrezia died literally in the arms of Jesus, her 15-year-old son.

Three Hernandez

Then there were three immigrants named Hernandez, a story that is now being turned into the song Los Tigres Del Norte, in honor of the victims.

Ezequiel Hernandez was killed by a US Marine while tending his flock. We later paid our respects at his grave, on the patio of his parents’ home.

Sergio Hernandez, a 15-year-old boy accused of throwing rocks for the US, was killed by Border Patrol agents who had entered the country illegally and shot him in the head. No criminal charges have been filed!

Anastasio Hernandez was killed by CBP agents while he was handcuffed and deported to Mexico. The young man died three days after his family demanded justice.

Burned alive

Blanca burned to death in the border mountains while crossing into the foggy area of ​​San Diego. They only recognized her by her white nail polish. She always painted her nails white.

Tragedies that never end

It follows the deaths of 53 immigrants who died in San Antonio, Texas, while trapped in the cab of a truck, unable to escape. Can you name one of the victims?

As if that weren’t enough, 13 immigrants died in Holtville, California, when a truck collided with a van full of migrants after crossing the border wall. In this van were the parents of a young immigrant hospitalized in the United States.

Another 40 migrants were burned alive in Ciudad Juarez, leaving blood on the hands of Mexico’s sitting president. Not forgetting that it was President Pena Nieto who blocked the investigation into the 72 migrants killed by the Zetas in northern Mexico.

Marcelino was tragically found dead in the desert while crossing the border. His mother’s reaction to the notice was captured in the rock band Mana’s song: Pobre Juan.

Just recently we learned that Texas Governor Gregg Abbott is forcing children back to Rio Bravo and children continue to die.

Are you surprised by this tragedy?

If we are not outraged by so many deaths, then what happens to us is that we become immune to pain.

Another victim of hate crimes was Heather Heyer, an activist killed during an anti-white supremacist demonstration in Virginia.

In the face of such great tragedy, on November 2 we will pay tribute to the thousands of unidentified migrants who rest in the Not Forgotten Cemetery in Holtville, California. I’d like you to join us.

Enrique Morones received the National Human Rights Award in Mexico in 2009; He is the founder of Border Angels & House of Mexico and is currently the Executive Director of Gente Unida, San Diego.