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-Editorial
The Consulate of Mexico in Calexico has launched the Summer 2025 Preventive Protection Campaign to raise awareness among migrants about the life-threatening dangers of attempting to cross the Imperial-Mexicali border region during the extreme summer heat.
The border between Imperial Valley, California, and Mexicali, Baja California, stretching 130 kilometers, has long been used as a route for irregular migration. Historically, the region was known as the “death border,” with some of the highest numbers of migrant fatalities between 1994 and 2008. Although deaths have decreased since 2009 due to binational prevention efforts, the risks remain high.
The consulate is distributing updated educational materials to local authorities, shelters, and civil society organizations in both Imperial County and Mexicali. The campaign also includes a new video highlighting the deadly risks of crossing the border during summer. The video was presented on July 11, during a coordination meeting with Mexican authorities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and local shelter leaders.
Official statistics show that from 2016 to 2025, at least 165 Mexican nationals died trying to cross this stretch of border. Among the causes, 46% died from heatstroke and 38% from drowning, particularly in the dangerous waters of the All-American Canal (Canal Todo Americano), where over 600 deaths have been recorded since 1942.
The extreme conditions of the desert, including the Yuha Desert, the Sierra de La Rumorosa, and the Yuma dunes, pose severe risks of dehydration and heatstroke. Migrants often get lost due to the use of remote, hard-to-access routes by smugglers, compounded by limited cell service and unfamiliarity with emergency applications.
Additional hazards include the All-American Canal, a deep and fast-moving waterway used for hydroelectric power generation, and the Río Nuevo, considered the most polluted river in North America. Both waterways pose major threats to life and health. Even U.S. Border Patrol agents have been restricted from operating in the Río Nuevo due to health risks.
July has been one of the hottest months on record so far this year in Imperial County, with extreme heat conditions affecting communities across the region. Authorities issued a two-day extreme heat warning, urging residents to stay indoors, remain hydrated, and avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours. Temperatures have soared to dangerous levels, and forecasts indicate that the intense heat will persist in the coming weeks, raising ongoing concerns for public health and safety, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The Consulate is calling on media outlets and community partners to help disseminate the video and reinforce the message of prevention to save lives during this high-risk season.