SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – A Utah woman searches for her father who disappeared nearly 9 months ago at the US-Mexico border.
The dangers on the border with Mexico do not wait. Every day there are many people who try to cross illegally looking for a better future here in the United States.
Shirley De Las Aguas, a Hispanic woman living in Utah, said that her father, Javier De Las Aguas, 64, tried to cross the Arizona border in July of last year and today still has no word on his whereabouts.
“I am desperate, it has been almost 9 months since I heard from him. It is a daily anxiety not knowing anything about him. If he is alive or if he is not alive,” De Las Aguas said.
More than 800 migrants died during 2022 along the border between the two countries.
De Las Aguas comments that July 17 was the last time he spoke with his father. “At 7 at night he told me that he was in Mexicali, Mexico and was preparing to leave for San Luis, Rio Colorado and from there he would cross the border.”
The Arizona desert, in particular, is one of the most dangerous places to cross the US-Mexico border. It was from that moment, when the woman did not know anything more about her father.
However, a call, nothing encouraging, could give him an indication of what would happen to his father.
“At 11 p.m. I received a call from a lady who was traveling with him. She was a travel companion. She tells me that they were picked up in Mexicali, they took him in a van to San Luis Colorado, they were dropped off at a certain point and they were told to walk straight. Many people were holding hands. It was night and everyone was very nervous, they ran out and they let go of their hands and each one ran for his life to give himself up. She tells me that until then she saw my dad.
It is still unknown if the man managed to cross into North American territory or if he ultimately stayed on Mexican soil. Her daughter said that she has contacted all the detention centers on the border and even consular offices, but they have not given her positive answers.
Anyone with information on Javier De Las Aguas, do not hesitate to contact the authorities.
