Arizona Border Deaths Hit 19 in July, Highest Monthly Toll Since 2024
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 21
Arizona Border Deaths Hit 19 in July, Highest Monthly Toll Since 2024
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 21
Summary
Nineteen migrant remains — including children — were recovered along the Arizona-Mexico border in July, the highest monthly count in that area since 2024, according to Pima County medical examiner data.
The July toll pushed this year's recovered remains to 73, up 14 from the same period in 2025, with experts saying recent deaths are rising even as official border encounters have fallen.
Humane Borders and researchers linked the deaths to blocked asylum access, tougher enforcement and extreme desert heat, which they say are driving migrants into more remote and lethal crossing routes.
At least 4,505 migrants have died in the Arizona desert over 25 years, and researchers say the true toll could be as much as four times higher because remains are often never found.