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More illegal immigrants dying in the desert

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Posted 4:18 PM 6/15/2012 : More illegal immigrants dying in the desert

TUCSON - Tucson Sector Border Patrol Agents rescued more than sixty illegal immigrants last month alone.

Almost a third of them never made it out alive due to the sweltering desert heat.

Humane Borders, a local non-profit, places water stations throughout the desert to help.

Jean Buell and Betzi Yungclas volunteer with the organization. They drive hours every week, checking and refilling their water stations.

For them, this recent spike in deaths reminds them why they volunteer to do this.

"It's just wrong to have to face death crossing any sort of terrain, when the only thing you're interested in is looking for work," Buell said.

"If we can save even one life by putting water stations in the desert, it's worth it," Yungclas added.

The water stations are indicated by tall, blue flags. To make sure they can always be seen, the volunteers change the flags as soon as they're worn out.

"At one of our water stations someone left a note that said 'thank you. You have saved my life,'" Yungclas said, fighting back tears.

Both volunteers have also faced their fair share of criticism.

"Sometimes you come across someone who doesn't agree with what you're doing, and they let you know about it. All you can do is agree with them and smile and go on about your business," Buell said.

Even so, both volunteers agree that it's worth it.

 For more information on Humane Borders, go to www.humaneborders.org.

Additionally, if you see any suspicious border activity, you're urged to call Border Patrol at 1-877-872-7435.

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