Desert Rescue Beacons Let Immigrants Crossing from Mexico Call for Help Astrid Galvan - The Associated Press
go to original May 2, 2014

Thorn-coated bushes, rock-covered terrain, scorching temperatures. A hissing rattlesnake.

These are just few of the many perils Mexican migrants crossing the Southern Arizona desert encounter every day. And far more of them will attempt to cross this summer, the U.S. Border Patrol predicts.

The agency unveiled its plans this week for dealing with the problem of immigrants dying in the desert, including 10 new beacons that allow migrants to call for help at the push of a red button. The agency is also adding new hoisting systems on helicopters to rescue immigrants.

... The border patrol says it sees a steep increase in calls for help coming from its 22 beacons as the summer approaches.

"It's either they live or die. They make the call right away," agent Ricardo Cardiel said.

The beacons are 30-feet-tall and solar powered. They have sun reflectors and blue lights on top that are visible for 10 miles. The beacons have signs in three languages that direct users to push a red button that sends out a signal for help. Response times vary from 10 minutes to an hour depending on where the nearest agents are located.

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Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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