The count of missing and deceased migrants has risen this year.
“The border between the United States and Mexico is the most dangerous land migration route in the world,” IOM.
Reports from authorities indicate that the number of migrants who are missing or have lost their lives has surpassed 1,420 for this year. This figure might actually be higher as some cases go unreported, as outlined in a TN23 Guatemala report.
Throughout the entirety of 2022, over 1,400 migrants have tragically lost their lives or gone missing in the Americas. Nonetheless, this number could potentially be greater due to underreporting.
Recent records reveal that in 2022, there have been at least 1,457 instances of migrant deaths and disappearances across the American continent.
According to information sourced from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly half of these cases, totaling 686, were documented at the United States-Mexico border.
The number of victims across the continent has risen by over 10% compared to 2021, which had 1,316 registered cases. Prior to that year, the figure had never exceeded 900 confirmed cases of missing individuals or deaths, as indicated in the report.
It’s important to note that the IOM relies on data from its ongoing monitoring of missing migrants on global migration routes, a project initiated in 2014.
In addition to the 686 individuals who lost their lives or went missing on the northern Mexican border, another 257 victims were reported last year on the maritime route to the United States via the Caribbean. Additionally, 141 cases occurred in the Darién Gap in Panama, a crucial connection between South and Central America, and 104 cases were recorded between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Since the inception of the IOM’s monitoring project a decade ago, there have been at least 4,664 cases of deaths and disappearances on the US-Mexico border.
The surge in deaths and disappearances in the Caribbean is particularly concerning, with 350 documented cases in 2022, compared to 245 in 2021 and less than 170 in all preceding years.
The Missing Migrants Project
The Missing Migrants Project meticulously records instances of migrants, irrespective of their legal status, who have perished while embarking on journeys to international destinations. Due to the inherent difficulties in gathering accurate information, it is important to view this data as a conservative estimate of the actual toll of lives lost during the migration experience. In many instances, the reported locations are only approximations. Behind each number stands an individual, and with them, the families and communities they leave behind.
Visit: Proyecto Migrantes Desaparecidos
Soledad Quartucci |Founder, CEO Latina Republic
At Latina Republic our mission is to foster regional understanding through stories that resonate from the heart of the Americas. Our primary objective is to encourage peaceful dialogue by shedding light on local perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media. We aspire to empower all stakeholders in resolving regional challenges by disseminating this valuable knowledge. We strive to capture the triumphs and struggles of everyday life in Latin America. Our stories track the evolution of social movements, amplifying the voices of those pioneering change.
