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Answers to key questions about immigrant burials

By WTOP Staff

CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN
Associated Press

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Anthropologists have uncovered dozens of makeshift graves in a South Texas cemetery suspected of holding the remains of unidentified immigrants who died in the desert while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities plan to investigate the 52 graves, many of which were unmarked and had remains not in coffins but in body bags, garbage bags and shopping bags and some in no container at all. Some of the bags contained more than one set of remains.

Baylor University anthropologist Lori Baker believes the graves in Falfurrias were dug from 2005 to 2009 and the migrants buried by a local funeral home.

Smugglers often guide immigrants through the brush trying to circumvent a Border Patrol highway checkpoint. There is little water, and the walk can take two or three days in punishing temperatures.

Some answers to key questions about the situation:

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Q: HOW MANY IMMIGRANTS DIE CROSSING THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER?

A: In the past 16 years, nearly 6,000 migrants have been found dead along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Border Patrol. That figure includes 445 last year. Arizona is the perennial leader and saw its biggest total in 2010, with 223 bodies recorded by the Pima County medical examiner. The county recorded 168 last year.

Closer to the South Texas cemetery, 129 unidentified bodies were found in 2012 in Brooks County, about an hour’s drive north of the border. That number dropped to 87 in 2013 and so far this year stands at 33. Prior to 2012, Brooks County averaged about 50 to 60 immigrant bodies per year.

Q: WHAT DO THEY DIE OF?

A: The cause of death is often difficult to determine depending on the condition of the remains, but many die of exposure to heat or cold and of dehydration. Closer to the Rio Grande drowning is another risk.

Q: WHAT IS DONE WITH UNIDENTIFIED BODIES FOUND IN BROOKS COUNTY?

A: When a body is found in Brooks County, a local justice of the peace makes the death announcement. The body is then sent to a medical examiner in Laredo for an autopsy. The medical examiner looks at any evidence from the scene, examines the remains, looks for identification, tattoos, jewelry, scars, dental work, anything that might help with identification. DNA samples are taken. Fingerprints and DNA are run through several databases.

The medical examiner also contacts foreign consulates in an effort to locate relatives. If they get a confirmed match and speak with the family, authorities try to arrange the return of the body as soon as possible.

The autopsies cost the county $1,500 not including transportation. With a population of only about 7,100, Brooks County has been asking unsuccessfully for years for federal reimbursement.

However, prior to 2013, unidentified bodies found in Brooks County were just given to a funeral home for burial. Limited attempts at identification were made.

Q: HOW MANY OF THE BODIES ARE IDENTIFIED?

A: Dr. Corrine Stern, the medical examiner in nearby Webb County who conducts autopsies for Brooks County, says her identification rate on non-skeletal remains is about 65 to 70 percent.

Q: HOW MANY BODIES HAVE BEEN FOUND AT THE CEMETERY IN FALFURRIAS?

A: Baker says her group will not know how many individuals were in the 52 graves until they inventory the remains back at her laboratory.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REMAINS EXHUMED AT THE CEMETERY?

A: At her lab, Baker will build biological profiles to get height, age and ancestry. DNA samples will be taken and sent to national databases. Her team has started a repository for unidentified remains to hold them until they are identified.

Q: WHAT ARE OFFICIALS DOING?

A: Texas Rangers visited Falfurrias on Monday to meet with sheriff’s officials and the district attorney. They were also expected to attend a meeting Tuesday between Brooks County leaders and Gov. Rick Perry’s staff in Austin. On Wednesday, Brooks County commissioners are scheduled to discuss the issue in executive session with the sheriff’s office and district attorney.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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