The immigration crisis continues to be a serious problem for the United States, whether it be sheer number of illegal immigrants crossingthe border or the tragic loss of lives of those attempting to enter U.S. territory. While 2022 marked the highest number of immigrant deats at the southern border in a fiscal year, the northern border also witnessed a nearly 800% increase in illegal immigrant encounters. Recently, the gruesome data was released regarding another of the entry routes: the Caribbean Sea.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 321 deaths and disappearances of migrants trying to access the United States through the Caribbean last year. This is almost double the number documented in 2021 (180). Since 2014, the total number of dead and missing amounts to 1,383. The annual report is part of the organization’s Missing Migrants Project, which was started in 2014.
Perhaps most alarming is the 163 dead migrants who could not be identified. This is more than half, as cited by IOM's regional coordinator for the Caribbean, Patrice Quesada:
More than 51% of the people who lost their lives on Caribbean migration routes last year could not be identified. This means that hundreds of families have no information about the whereabouts of their loved ones.
The predominant origin: Haiti
The IOM did document the sex of those identified and the number of children who died or went missing in Caribbean waters. Of the 158, 66 were women, 64 were men. Twenty-eight were children of both genders.
By country of origin, a quarter traveled from Haiti (80), followed by Cuba (69), the Dominican Republic (56) and Venezuela (25).
Drowning the main cause of death
Some 309 migrants drowned, more than 90% of all recordad deaths. Hurricane season and strong wind currents cause waves for which their boats are not prepared. Many of the transports are shipwrecked and, as a result, people drown.
In addition to drowning, nine died from hunger, thirst or cold; one from accidental death; one from a transport accident; and another from violence.
January 2023 sets a new record
The beginning of the year has been unprecedented. Already 95 migrants have been reported dead or missing in the Caribbean Sea. This represents a new monthly record.
Since 2014, the month of September 2017 marked the highest death count, with 71, until this month. With two days to go until the beginning of February, there are already nearly 100.
