Eagle Pass, Texas
A spokesperson for the Mexican Consul General in Eagle Pass has noted that there have been five deaths of undocumented migrants since January. This figure is notably low, averaging less than one fatality per month, especially when compared to the hundreds of deaths recorded daily during the Biden administration’s border crisis.
According to a report from Spanish news, Vivienne Juarez, a consulate representative, confirmed that the deceased included remains that were primarily skeletal. The majority of these deaths are believed to be due to dehydration related to extreme heat. Juarez suggested that the decrease in migrant deaths may stem from stricter border control measures that were put in place by the Trump administration.
In July 2023, the Border Patrol in Del Rio, which includes Eagle Pass, faced an alarming rate of nearly one death per day as border crossings peaked. In a single day in September 2022, nine migrants lost their lives while attempting to cross the Rio Grande in a large group.
This reduction in fatalities marks a significant change from the previous norm in regions where many undocumented migrants try to enter the U.S. daily. President Trump’s stringent immigration policies appear to have had a notable impact on border crossings.
The decrease in migrant deaths aligns with a striking drop in illegal crossings as well. Customs and Border Patrol reports reveal that encounters fell from almost 5,000 per day in December 2023 to less than 15 on most days by July 2025. A CBP spokesperson noted that the statistics from July showed a remarkable 90% reduction in encounters compared to an average month during the Biden administration.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the reduction in crossings in July, asserting, “History has been made. The numbers don’t lie. This is the safest border ever. President Trump has effectively managed the crisis.”
The number of undocumented migrant deaths during the past several years has overwhelmed the resources of communities like Eagle Pass, which has a population under 30,000. Reports indicated that funeral services struggled to manage the increased mortality rate among unidentified migrants. Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber had to resort to using temporary morgues to handle the deceased until arrangements could be made.
For over two years, refrigerated trailers served as makeshift storage for the bodies of migrants who passed away during their crossings. In June, a burial ceremony was held for the last remains at Maverick County Cemetery, attended by local officials.
In 2022, the United Nations Immigration Agency reported 686 deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border, deeming it one of the deadliest land border routes in the world.
