Locally, since April of this year, there have 12 people - including children - who have lost their lives in their attempt to reach the American Dream through the Del Rio Border Sector.

Last year there were 24 in the entire year.

The United States Border Patrol Chief Agent for the Del Rio Sector Raul Ortiz reported that there are at least two individuals that remain missing after they drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande River.

“This is very dangerous and people are advised otherwise. Don’t do it,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz also states that during the fiscal year the number of detainees through the Del Rio border sector have reached 34,000, a 217% increase as compared to the previous year. There are still 6 months of the calendar year remaining.

The dangers of attempting to cross into the United States illegally are very much a reality that is inevitable.

Since 1998- 2018 United States Customs and Border Protection report that approximately 7,505 people have died trying to cross into the United States through the Southwest Border. This nearly averages to one death per day in the 20-year span (1998- 2018).

Officials feel that 2019 could be just as deadly as the year 2005, when 492 people were reported to have lost their lives crossing into the U.S. through the southwest border.