Sasabe: The new destination toward death and insult for immigrants

BY GEOVANA RUANO, BAJO EL SOL
PHOTO BY GEOVANA RUANO/BAJO EL SOL

March 10, 2008 - 4:35PM

ALTARS, Son. — More than 276 human remains from immigrants were recovered from the desert areas in Yuma and Pima counties between 2006 and 2008, according to figures provided by the Human Rights Coalition of Arizona. But that number could be much higher.

According to figures covering Oct. 1, 2006 through Jan. 1, 2008, the majority were immigrants crossing the border to the U.S. at El Sasabe, Son., a desolate and mountainous area that has become the preferred spot for human trafficking networks, who for $2,000 per person will guide Latin Americans through this perilous and injurious route.

El Sasabe has a population of close to 1,500 people. There is one immigration officer, three police officers, three customs agents, six Grupos Beta rescue agents, a military garrison and 1,500 immigrants arriving daily to its dusty streets on 200 trucks provided to the "coyotes" - smugglers - of Altar, Son.

As far back as 10 years ago, the Sasabe route was a crossing point for illegal immigrants. It was easier for the "coyotes" to take their cargo on the highway toward Ajo, Ariz., because they had not built the fence that runs 12 kilometers across the town. There was no U.S. Border Patrol surveillance just like there were no gangs assaulting immigrants.