Border Patrol says migrant deaths are down

PHOENIX - The Border Patrol says there are fewer illegal immigrants dying along the Arizona border. The Border Patrol's Tucson Sector has recorded 132 migrant deaths through July 31.

The government says it's a 38 percent drop compared with the 212 migrant deaths logged during the same 10-month period in the fiscal year before.

The Arizona Republic reports the 38 percent corresponds with a 44 percent decline in illegal-immigrant apprehensions by the Tucson Sector, which covers the majority of Arizona's border with Mexico.

The Tucson sector made nearly 109,000 apprehensions through July 31, compared with 194,065 during the same period last year.

The human-rights advocacy organization Border Action Network says fewer deaths along the border may be attributed to border enforcement, bad weather and fewer jobs.