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They come for work for family for a better way of life. They are willing to risk their lives to make it across the U.S. border. As a part of Hispanic Heritage month, were focusing on the controversial issue of immigration. It is a matter of life or death in the deserts of southern Texas. One sheriff there has a surprising take on international law breakers. Hes involved in a very different kind of border patrol. | ||
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RAFAEL CUELLAR HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO BEING A LAWMAN ALONG THE U.S.- MEXICAN BORDER. BUT HE DEVOTES HIS PERSONAL LIFE TO TRYING TO OFFER SOME DIGNITY TO LAWBREAKERS. HE OFTEN STARTS BY LOOKING FOR BUZZARDS.
Sheriff Rafael Cuellar: "A bunch of buzzards flying together indicates that there is something dead in that area."
ALL TOO OFTEN, THE SHERIFF FINDS HUMAN REMAINS THE BODIES OF IMMIGRANTS WHO ILLEGALLY CROSS INTO THE U.S. FROM MEXICO LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY OF LIFE, BUT FINDING CRUEL DEATH.
Sheriff Rafael Cuellar: "They can dehydrate in 4 to 6 hours, and if there's no help around, you know, that's when they die.
AN ESTIMATED HALF MILLION PEOPLE CROSS THE U.S.- MEXICAN BORDER ILLEGALLY OR TRY EVERY YEAR. IT'S BELIEVED THAT NOT QUITE HALF ARE CAUGHT. BUT IT'S A GIVEN THAT MORE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT MEANS MORE DESPERATE CHANCES WILL BE TAKEN.
Ray Antonario: "For us here, we'll catch anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 a month."
BACK IN HIS OFFICE, ALMOST WEEKLY, SHERIFF CUELLAR MEETS WITH GRIEVING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAD HOPED AND PRAYED THAT A LOVED ONE DID FIND SAFETY HERE, ONLY TO FIND THE WORST.
THIS IS WHERE MANY OF THE BODIES END UP IN A PAUPER'S CEMETERY, WITH A SIMPLE TIN MARKER.
Sheriff Rafael Cuellar: " I feel very strongly for these people that they at least have a decent burial, or knowing their families know where they are. Dead or alive."