May 28, 2024

Participants walk "migrant trail" in solidarity

The 21st Migrant Trail Walk begins Monday, a yearly event held in remembrance and solidarity with people who cross the border and have died in the Arizona borderlands.

Migrant Trail Walk Participants on the 20th annual Migrant Trail Walk carry crosses with the names of those who have died in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
Courtesy of Saulo Padilla

Thirty-eight people are walking the 75-mile, week-long trek from Sásabe, Sonora, to Tucson. Since last year’s walk, Pima County Medical Examiner data shows nearly 200 sets of human remains were recovered from the Arizona borderlands.

Participant Jamie Wilson says the crisis hasn’t changed.

“We are committed to walking every year until the deaths stop in our borderlands," Wilson said. "And we fear we will be walking for many years to come.”

Wilson says the walk also points out that the deaths have increased over the last two decades as deterrence policies make the border crossing more remote and deadly. As well, this year’s walk recognizes the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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