Mexico offers satnav to illegals crossing into the US
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   Justin Stares
   Monday, January 01, 2007

   Would-be illegal immigrants planning to cross the desert and enter the
   United States on foot are to be given hand-held satellite devices by
   the Mexican authorities to ensure they arrive safely.

   Those who get lost or fall sick during the dangerous four-day crossing
   will be able to activate the device, to alert frontier police on both
   sides of the border.

   The satellite tracking service will require would-be illegals to
   register their intentions before setting off - a paradoxical move,
   given that secrecy is necessary for success - but Mexican authorities
   are predicting that about 200,000 devices will be handed out when the
   project is launched formally in the coming year.

   "Our intention is to save lives," said Jaime Obregon, the coordinator
     for the state commission for migrants in Puebla, the Mexican state
     which is behind the project. "There are lots of people looking to
   cross and we are working with the US authorities to make sure they do
                            not die on the way."

   Between 20 and 30 migrants succumb to hellish temperatures and insect
    bites while trying to cross into Arizona every year. Heat exhaustion
   sometimes causes short-term memory loss, with trekkers wandering into
                                the desert.

     The route into Arizona, known as the Sasave Pass, is both the most
   common and the most dangerous way into the United States. According to
   Mexican state migrant authorities, up to 75,000 try the crossing every
    month, of whom 50,000 to 60,000 are caught by US border patrols and
                                 sent back.

    The chance of success depends greatly on the knowledge of the guide,
   known as a "coyote" or "desert fox." They charge US$2,000 (HK$15,600)
                          to US$10,000 per person.

    Coyotes are merciless if a member of their pack lags behind. "If you
   cannot keep up they will abandon you." Obregon said. "Alone, you have
     about 36 hours to live. It is in this period the satellite device
                            makes a difference."

   A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection said: "We do not have
      any information about the Mexican government providing satellite
   trackers to people, but we strongly discourage encouragement to people
       who are attempting to cross illegally into the United States."

                            THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH