One Small Step
may Save Lives
 



In a desert where color variation and man-made objects are rare indeed, a fluttering blue flag can be seen for miles. And 100 such flags can, in combination, cover hundreds and hundreds of miles in terms of visibility.

Far from being for decorative purposes, these 100 flags are designed to save lives. A rash of illegal immigrant deaths, coupled with increased coverage of the issue, has brought to light the serious need to help curtail the rising number of deaths being seen when immigrants die trying to get to the United States across the baron, unforgiving desert.

With permission from the federal government, volunteers have begun to store and replenish two visible one-gallon jugs of drinking water at each flag. It may not be much, but it could be just enough to save a life or two in areas where 110 degree temperatures can parch a throat and catapult migrants into heat exhaustion, dehydration and ultimately, death.

Knowing full-well the risks and the odds, thousands of illegal immigrants from Mexico strive to cross the desert  to avoid stringent border patrols in Calexico and San Diego. They are literally dying to get in.

John Hunter of San Diego organized the initial waster-supply efforts, with help from his conservative congressman brother, Rep. Duncan Hunter from the Imperial Valley, because he "had to do something" about people dying virtually in his own back yard.

Congressman Hunter has opposed illegal immigration for his entire 18 year tenure, and believes that great border patrol is the way to go. Nevertheless, he supports his brothers efforts to save lives.

An even less likely participant in the project is Tom Wacker, recently retired chief of the Border Patrol, who just helped the congressman's brother and other volunteers to install new stations and check existing ones.

Wacker was eager to help Hunter, a friend, but does worry that the water could help the wrong people, namely smugglers, thus increasing illegal migrant traffic.

Few migrants are yet aware of the stations, and when they learn of them, they may be wary. The stations are already in monitored areas, and although border patrol won't target them specifically, they certainly won't promise to ignore those areas.

Hopefully, by the time it's a matter of life and death, the migrants will give in and go for the water. If that doesn't happen, greater border control may become a number one priority for those on all sides of the issue.

  and

July 31, 2000

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