Fact Check: Approximately 80,000 people have died trying to cross the U.S. Southern border.

Fact Check: "Approximately 80,000 people have died trying to cross the U.S. Southern border."

What We Know

The claim that approximately 80,000 people have died attempting to cross the U.S. Southern border is significantly exaggerated. According to a report by Reuters, more than 1,000 migrant fatalities have been recorded along the U.S.-Mexico border since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. This figure includes deaths from various causes, such as drownings in the Rio Grande and falls from the border wall. In 2021 alone, the United Nations reported 728 deaths, marking it as the deadliest year for migrants crossing the border since they began tracking fatalities in 2014. As of mid-2022, an additional 340 deaths had been recorded, indicating a continuing trend of high mortality rates among migrants, but still far below the claimed figure of 80,000.

Analysis

The claim of 80,000 deaths lacks credible support and is not substantiated by any official data. The sources that provide statistics on migrant deaths, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the United Nations, report numbers that are dramatically lower. The CBP has acknowledged a rise in deaths, but their figures indicate that the number of fatalities is in the hundreds, not thousands. For instance, a report from CBS News noted at least 853 migrant deaths in the year preceding its publication, which aligns with the data reported by the UN and other credible organizations.

The claim's reliability is further undermined by the absence of any reputable source or study that corroborates the figure of 80,000. The statistical methodology used by organizations like the UN and CBP involves rigorous data collection and verification processes, whereas the origin of the 80,000 figure remains unclear and unverified.

Conclusion

The claim that approximately 80,000 people have died trying to cross the U.S. Southern border is False. The actual number of recorded deaths is significantly lower, with credible sources indicating over 1,000 fatalities since January 2021. This stark discrepancy highlights the importance of relying on verified data from reputable organizations when discussing sensitive issues such as migrant deaths.

Sources

1. The border's toll: Migrants increasingly die crossing into U.S.
2. Border Rescues and Mortality Data | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
3. Southwest Land Border Encounters - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
4. At least 853 migrants died crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in past 12 months
5. How many people die crossing the US-Mexico border? - USAFacts