Border Patrol, National Guard set up beacons for migrants in distress

Tucson Sector Border Patrol recently deployed 10 more rescue beacons throughout the desert west of Tucson, kicking off the Blue Light of Life campaign.

“With assistance from the Arizona National Guard’s 2220th Transportation Company, 10 additional rescue beacons were strategically placed to save the lives of migrants in distress,” according to the statement announcing the project.

Through the Blue Light of Life campaign, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol is working to educate potential migrants on the dangers of crossing the Arizona border illegally and some of the available tools that may save their lives in a dire situation. The “Luz azul de vida: Rescate” flyer was created through a collaboration with Humane Borders and is being distributed throughout Mexico and Central America.

All  the rescue beacons across the sector were recently retrofitted with new signage, mirrors to reflect sunlight, and a high intensity blue light visible for up to 10 miles away during night hours. The new rescue beacons will enhance the coverage of the remote desert areas in which smugglers often abandon migrants.

This fiscal year through July 31, the Tucson Sector has had 83 rescue beacon activations resulting in the rescue of 142 persons. Agents have discovered 95 deceased individuals during the same time frame, a 44% decrease from Fiscal Year 2013. The recent deployment increases the total number to 32 rescue beacons throughout the Tucson Sector area of responsibility.