A 15-month investigation by MIT Technology Review and Times of San Diego into deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border has uncovered that nearly 4,000 migrant deaths have been recorded since 2015, with many occurring within the range of government surveillance towers. The study combined data from organizations like No More Deaths, Humane Borders, and public records from Texas counties. It found that over 1,050 people died within the advertised range of border surveillance towers between 2015 and early 2026. Despite the use of advanced technologies like AI-powered cameras and thermal imaging systems, many of these deaths went undetected or unresponded to. The investigation mapped these deaths against nearly 600 surveillance towers identified by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). It found that deaths occurred within the range of nearly two-thirds of the towers analyzed, with some towers only covering as little as 10% of their advertised surveillance area. The study also found that more than 110 people have died within range of modern autonomous towers from Anduril, a company known for developing advanced systems used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). One case highlighted in the report involved José Morales Bernal, who died in April 2024 within 360 feet of the nearest surveillance tower. Despite three towers being in the area, local landfill workers discovered his body, and Border Patrol agents arrived 45 minutes later. An autopsy concluded he had died from "environmental exposure." One report noted that the agent who called 911 was unsure of Morales' movements, despite the presence of an AI-powered camera nearby. The investigation found that the "virtual wall," a system of surveillance technology designed to enhance border security, has significant flaws. These include malfunctioning towers, algorithms that failed to detect people, and agents who did not respond to alerts. The study also found that the government has not conducted a comparable analysis of its own on the effectiveness of the virtual wall. Despite these issues, the system continues to receive political support and increased federal funding. Determining how many people have died near the virtual wall is challenging, especially with the Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) towers, which vary in range and model. Many remains are never found, and for those that are, GPS coordinates or precise location details are often missing. The study estimated that between 500 and 700 people have died near these towers since 2015, with more than 300 dying in areas where cameras had a clear view. The findings highlight the limitations of relying on technology to solve complex human problems. Both the surveillance systems and the agents on the ground failed to detect and respond to migrants in distress. The report underscores the need for more thorough evaluations of the virtual wall’s effectiveness, as the current lack of comprehensive analysis leaves critical gaps in understanding the system's real-world impact.