TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) -- Migration officials said Monday they would place 20
emergency-aid stations in Mexico along stretches of a broiling-hot desert
region where numerous migrants have died trying to cross into the United
States.

The announcement came two days before President Vicente Fox meets with
President Bush to discuss his proposal for an integrated approach to migration that
would involve temporary work visas for Mexicans, amnesty for undocumented
migrants and U.S. aid for impoverished Mexican communities that are home to large
numbers of migrants.

Officials said they will install 20 emergency stations in La Rumorosa and Andrade,
two mountainous desert areas of the state that have been declared emergency zones
because of a high number of migrant deaths.

Migrants trying to cross the border in this region must walk for four days in
temperatures reaching 122 degrees.

Most of the deaths are the result of dehydration or sunstroke. Many migrants also
get lost, leaving them vulnerable to the dangerous conditions for longer amounts of
time.

The stations will be equipped with blinking light towers visible from long distances,
radios to make calls for help, and information for locating water, food, shade, and
human assistance.

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