Mexico offers satnav to illegals crossing into the US

Depth · 01-02-2007, 08:13 PM

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_d...548&con_type=1

Monday, January 01, 2007

Would-be illegal immigrants planning to cross the desert and enter the United States on foot are to be given hand-held satellite devices by the Mexican authorities to ensure they arrive safely.
Those who get lost or fall sick during the dangerous four-day crossing will be able to activate the device, to alert frontier police on both sides of the border.

The satellite tracking service will require would-be illegals to register their intentions before setting off - a paradoxical move, given that secrecy is necessary for success - but Mexican authorities are predicting that about 200,000 devices will be handed out when the project is launched formally in the coming year.

"Our intention is to save lives," said Jaime Obregon, the coordinator for the state commission for migrants in Puebla, the Mexican state which is behind the project. "There are lots of people looking to cross and we are working with the US authorities to make sure they do not die on the way."

Between 20 and 30 migrants succumb to hellish temperatures and insect bites while trying to cross into Arizona every year. Heat exhaustion sometimes causes short-term memory loss, with trekkers wandering into the desert.

The route into Arizona, known as the Sasave Pass, is both the most common and the most dangerous way into the United States. According to Mexican state migrant authorities, up to 75,000 try the crossing every month, of whom 50,000 to 60,000 are caught by US border patrols and sent back.

The chance of success depends greatly on the knowledge of the guide, known as a "coyote" or "desert fox." They charge US$2,000 (HK$15,600) to US$10,000 per person.

Coyotes are merciless if a member of their pack lags behind. "If you cannot keep up they will abandon you." Obregon said. "Alone, you have about 36 hours to live. It is in this period the satellite device makes a difference."

A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection said: "We do not have any information about the Mexican government providing satellite trackers to people, but we strongly discourage encouragement to people who are attempting to cross illegally into the United States."

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

piedra · 01-02-2007, 08:14 PM

I will cross with a GPS this time. Could you lend me any KKK hat so the sun won't burn me while doing this Depth?

Cmart · 01-02-2007, 08:19 PM

I imagine missiles could be programmed to hone in on those signals....

piedra · 01-02-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmart

I imagine missiles could be programmed to hone in on those signals....

Be a man and use a bow and an arrow when I cross.

wellrounded · 01-02-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piedra

Be a man and use a bow and an arrow when I cross.

You think he's some sort of Indian.

Great news Piedra soon you'll be able to visit me in Canada. its getting warmer too here. We just had a green christmas here in Ottawa and its +17 degrees Celsius

Depth · 01-02-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piedra

I will cross with a GPS this time. Could you lend me any KKK hat so the sun won't burn me while doing this Depth?

I'll pick you up in Arizona.

My uncle has a restaurant I can get you a job at making $2.00 per hour plus sick benefits (you get to take the left overs home!!!!). I can also find you a nice place to stay at....you'll just have to share it with 19 room mates.

piedra · 01-02-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wellrounded

You think he's some sort of Indian.

Great news Piedra soon you'll be able to visit me in Canada. its getting warmer too here. We just had a green christmas here in Ottawa and its +17 degrees Celsius

Nah the good C-mart is cool, anyway here isn't any warmer it's around 2 or 3 degrees Celsius in the night. Canada would une bonne option, merci Monsieur well rounded pour l'invitation.

piedra · 01-02-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Depth

I'll pick you up in Arizona.

My uncle has a restaurant I can get you a job at making $2.00 per hour plus sick benefits (you get to take the left overs home!!!!). I can also find you a nice place to stay at....you'll just have to share it with 19 room mates.

Why picking me in Arizona, when we can cross together illegally just imagine crossing in your KKK suit and me in a Pancho Villa outfit! About the restaurant you're offering me a lot of money plus a pent-house but I would prefer to live in your swastika condominium than share my life with 20 guys including me.

Depth · 01-02-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piedra

Why picking me in Arizona, when we can cross together illegally just imagine crossing in your KKK suit and me in a Pancho Villa outfit! About the restaurant you're offering me a lot of money plus a pent-house but I would prefer to live in your swastika condominium than share my life with 20 guys including me.

Whatever you please.

I only have one bed in the place, so remember no funny stuff, until we get to know each other.

How good are you with a weedwacker anyway? I hate overgrown grass on the side of the house and I don't have time to tend to it myself.

muerteverde · 01-02-2007, 08:39 PM

I think maybe there is some confusion in this thread about what the device actually does though, or maybe it is just the humor. To me it sounds like the devices won't aid in navigation at all. It is not a GPS for the border crosser, but rather a distress beacon like those on board ships. In that case, it sounds like a good idea to me. It won't help anyone to cross and it will both save lives of people who would otherwise die in the desert as well as catch everyone who activates it.