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Increase in illegal immigrant deaths takes police resources away from border residents
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-- like Ronald all right well there is some new trouble for police along our southern border a spike in the number of illegal immigrants dying on private property as they cross into the country.
Casey Stegall joins us live in Dallas Casey this is a disturbing development so how much of an increase are we talking about in these kinds of incidents.
Well Martha we want -- first warn -- that the video we're about to show you is graphic you know according to Department of Homeland Security stats the number.
Of illegal immigrants trying to come into this country.
Is dramatically down however the number of those who died while trying to do it.
Hasn't really changed in Brooks county for example down in south Texas 64 bodies turned up on private lands last year.
They're projected to surpass the 100 mark this year and while it is of course a tragic loss of life cops say the death investigations.
Put a serious strain on resource is because there -- very time consuming.
And when I say three hours or just good scene itself -- -- you've still got to do the follow -- the behind.
-- -- the latter part becomes an as far as.
-- within medical examiner and trying to identify this person.
Now for context Brooks county down there -- only has nine sheriff's deputy is responsible for -- patrolling.
Some 954.
Square miles -- context.
That is nearly two times the size of the city of Los Angeles -- Yet -- -- pointing at Casey's investigations would cost the taxpayers in these areas a lot of money right.
They sure do in this is that by the way unique to Texas is happening and all four border states but in Brooks county they estimate each one of these death investigations to cost about 15100.
Dollars.
And the majority of those victims die from extreme heat exposure to the elements they have no identification on them.
So they are autopsied and then.
They are buried in these unmarked graves residents in these counties that we talked to of course have compassion.
On the other hand they also fear for their own safety saying that these investigations.
Detract from other emergencies.
Most -- -- like myself from like from the other ranchers -- Live in this counting my neighbors we're on our own.
And it shouldn't be that way.
Folks down there are calling on the federal government for help to not only tighten border security but also in turn preventing these deaths more -- And I Casey thank you very much the -- -- to go to Dallas so --
