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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Border security and human tragedy

It's just 150 miles between Laredo and San Antonio — but the drive is long enough to be deadly — when almost 100 migrants are crammed into a tractor-trailer with no water, no relief from the heat and only a single source of fresh air for breathing. Eight people died during the trip and two more have died in a hospital.

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By Warren Olney • Jul 26, 2017 • 1 min read

It's just 150 miles between Laredo and San Antonio — but the drive is long enough to be deadly — when almost 100 migrants are crammed into a tractor-trailer with no water, no relief from the heat and only a single source of fresh air for breathing. Eight people died during the trip and two more have died in a hospital. Immigration officials call it evidence of a brutal criminal organization, as Congress prepares to vote on $1.6 billion for the president's Great Wall. While the Trump crackdown against illegal border crossings may be good business for human smugglers who exploit desperation, some border agents say the crackdown targets the wrong victims and encourages racist abuse on the part of their colleagues.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Yael Even Or

    Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Frank Bajak

    Associated Press

  • KCRW placeholder

    Pete Saenz

    City of Laredo, Texas

  • KCRW placeholder

    Denise Brennan

    Georgetown University

    NewsNationalPolitics
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