The San Antonio Tragedy: Inside the Deadliest Migrant Smuggling Event in U.S. History
On June 27, 2022, first responders in San Antonio, Texas, made a horrifying discovery that marked one of the deadliest human smuggling events in the history of the United States.
A Scene of Devastation:
Authorities found an abandoned tractor-trailer on the outskirts of the city. Inside, they discovered dozens of people, many already deceased, who had been trapped in the sweltering heat of the sealed cargo container.
The trailer’s refrigeration unit was malfunctioning, and with no ventilation or water, temperatures inside soared well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a fatal environment for those trapped within.
A Crisis in a Record-Breaking Year:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a record 895 migrant deaths for the fiscal year.
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) identified the U.S.-Mexico border as the deadliest land migration route in the world in 2022.
The San Antonio incident serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost behind these statistics and the perilous journeys undertaken by those seeking a new life.
