S04E04: LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. Deaths at US-Mexico Border

Fractured

In this episode, James Holeman and Abby Carpenter discuss their work with Battalion Search and Rescue, a humanitarian organization focused on finding missing migrants along the US-Mexico border. They share the origins of their organization, the challenges they face in their search operations, and the grim realities of migration, including the deadly consequences of current border policies. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the motivations behind migration and the systemic issues that contribute to migrant deaths. The conversation delves into the complex and often harrowing realities faced by migrants at the US-Mexico border, highlighting the impact of political changes on migration policies, the dangers encountered by children, and the role of militias. It also discusses specific cases, such as that of Elias Alvarado, and the grim statistics surrounding migrant deaths in the desert. The speakers emphasize the inadequacies of authorities in addressing these issues and the challenges posed by current asylum policies. The discussion concludes with reflections on the criminalization of humanitarian aid and the need for systemic change.

SPECIAL GUESTS:

James Holeman and Abby Carpenter - Battalion Search and Rescue

You can find Battalion Search and Rescue here: https://battalionsar.com/

"Fractured" is an original production of ReFOCUS Media Labs

(@refocusmedialabs on all social media platforms)

PRODUCTION FAMILY:

Hosts: Rasheed Ghalli, Sonia Nandzik-Herman

Production Family:

Sude Fazlollah, Eli Fazlollah, Dawoud Nouri, Rasheed Ghalli,Lotta Luley, Federico Rinaldi, Dariia Stepanova

Citizen Journalists:

Yaser Taheri, Milad Ebrahimi, Yaser Akbari, Naqib Rasuli, Mohammad Ali Alami

Mentorship: Douglas Herman

Producers: Sonia Nandzik-Herman, Douglas Herman

Graphic Design: Eli Fazlollah for designs by Eli go to: ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org/shop⁠

MUSIC:

Theme- "Intro for Legends" by Bonkers Beat Club (Epidemic Sound)

Additional- "Mogul" by Blue Steel (Epidemic Sound)

OUR PARTNERS:

Allianz Foundation, Choose Love, Aputure, Leave No One Behind, Europe Cares, Parea Center Lesvos

SPECIAL THANKS:

To the extended ReFOCUS Family for their dedication, passion and creativity all year long. We’re not where we are today without all the effort from Florian Krauer, Louise Holm, Chryssa Kouroukli, Natalia Tsarenko, Fine Bieler, Tommaso Stingo, Nazanin Foroghi, Yaser Akbari, Dariia Stepanova, Rada Valchanova, Walker Watson, Eleonora Giacomelli, Joseph Murray, Omer Butt, Wojtek Paluch, Matthew Goncalves O’Kelly, Jennifer Perez, Jule Pehnt, Majid Bakhshi, Paul “Al” Simon, Jaime Moro Saavedra, Joëlle Hübscher, Beni Rietmann, Jakob Mayr, Jurek Edel, Francisco Ibanez, Bart Van Son, Federico Bustamente, Myriam Rey, Lotta Luley and Federico Rinaldi.

SUPPORT:

This podcast is the product of our ReFOCUS citizen journalism program

Donate to support the artists and journalists by visiting: ⁠https://refocusmedialabs.org

CONTACT:

Thoughts or questions about this episode;

Suggestions for topics we can cover later in the season?

Contact: ⁠[e-mail]