Close-up of border deaths: Public health at the U.S.-Mexico border

While the U.S. has witnessed an increase in legislation to curb undocumented migration, political efforts have only succeeded in the militarization of the border, forcing immigrants to cross the harsh desert regions of the country, resulting in over 2,000 deaths of men, women, and children since 1995. Immigration is often discussed in a political context; however, it involves other issues rarely considered outside this framework, one being the deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Global Health Alliance (GHA), a student organization dedicated to improving the well-being of diverse populations, organized a symposium to recognize border deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border as a major public health crisis. A diverse panel of experts, faculty, and students gathered to discuss the hazards of border crossing and the impact of border deaths on individuals, families, and communities. Main outcomes of the symposium included: 1.) The need to address the root causes of immigration; 2.) Recognizing that border security and immigration policies influence border deaths; 3.) Encouraging a human-rights based approach to address migration and border deaths (versus criminalization). As a result, the GHA crafted guidelines to be shared with other public health institutions, colleges, and community-serving organizations to develop their own policy statements regarding border deaths. The GHA is the first student organization at the University of Arizona to raise awareness on the issue of border deaths and its relevance to public health. It is important to recognize the role student organizations have in mobilizing universities to address critical issues in their own communities.