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Aid Workers Concerned Closing Arizona Border Camp Could Put Migrants at Risk, ProPublica Reports

“Border Crisis: Inside the Humanitarian Efforts Saving Lives on the Arizona-Mexico Border”

Pastor Randy Mayer of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans, a nonprofit organization providing humanitarian aid to migrants, navigates the rugged terrain of the Arizona-Mexico border in the predawn darkness. For nearly 25 years, Mayer has been traveling to this remote stretch, where a small encampment serves as a lifeline for migrants stranded in the Pajarito Mountains.

The area, located about 20 miles east of Sasabe, Arizona, has seen an increase in migrant crossings between ports of entry, with more than 500,000 people entering the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Tucson Sector in the past year. The treacherous mountain range, with extreme temperatures and harsh conditions, poses a deadly risk to those attempting the journey.

The camp, run by religious and humanitarian organizations like the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans, Humane Borders, and No More Deaths, provides food, water, and first aid to migrants in need. However, a recent notification from the Forest Service indicated that the camp must be closed and cleared off federal land, raising concerns among volunteers about the safety of migrants who rely on their assistance.

Despite the potential crackdown on humanitarian aid groups, volunteers remain committed to their mission of saving lives and providing assistance to those in need. They argue that their work is protected by their constitutional rights and religious freedoms, and they are prepared to defend their actions in the face of legal challenges.

As the number of border crossings declines and new policies restrict asylum access, aid workers fear that migrants will be forced to take even riskier routes through remote and dangerous areas to evade detection. The ongoing efforts of organizations like Humane Borders, which provide water drops and track migrant deaths in the region, are crucial in preventing further loss of life along the border.

For Pastor Randy Mayer and other volunteers, their faith and sense of duty compel them to continue their work, despite the challenges and risks they face. As they provide aid and support to migrants in need, they remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding their values and principles, no matter the obstacles they may encounter.

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