San Antonio Honors Victims of Deadly Human-Smuggling One Year Later

One year ago, a devastating human-smuggling event took place in south Texas, which resulted in the loss of 53 immigrant lives. Families of the victims continue to mourn their loved ones, while the community of San Antonio grapples with the aftermath of the June 2022 disaster.

These migrants hailed from various countries including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. They were traveling in an overheated semi-truck, which had no air conditioning or water, causing them to die of heat-related illness. The youngest victim was only 13 years old, while the oldest was 55. Over a dozen women were also among the victims.

After the discovery of the tragedy on June 27, 2022, it launched a federal investigation and a manhunt for the drivers. Eventually, four men were arrested in connection with the deaths, and two were indicted. They continue to remain in federal custody without bond.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg spoke out on the tragedy at the time, calling it “a horrific human tragedy.” The incident brought together the city’s most compassionate community members, who quickly built a makeshift memorial consisting of crosses – one for each victim, and have maintained it over the last twelve months despite multiple attempts to deface or destroy it.

As the community continues to grieve, local leaders aim to turn the temporary memorial into a permanent place of remembrance and honor for the victims. They are also collaborating with the Smithsonian to potentially create a digital archive that tells the story of each migrant who lost their life.

The tragic event left a lasting impact on San Antonio’s people, who remain dedicated to honoring the memories of those who perished. While time may never fully heal the loss, they hope their efforts will ensure that the victims are never forgotten.