PHOENIX — The families of 11 immigrants who died crossing the southern Arizona desert have filed a claim against federal agencies asking for $3.75 million dollars for each victim, attorneys said.
The claim was sent to the Department of Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, said James Metcalf, an attorney for the families.
It asserts the agencies rejected a request made about two months before the deaths by the humanitarian group Humane Borders to place water stations near the spot where the immigrants died, Metcalf said Wednesday. It also alleges the agencies denied the request even though they knew immigrants were crossing the border in the area because of increased border patrols at safer crossing points.
A total of 14 people died in May 2001 when smugglers led the immigrants into a bleak section of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge known as "The Devil's Path" near the Mexican border.
Clark said the government has 180 days to respond. If the agencies reject the claim, a lawsuit will be filed.