The US has spent billions on surveillance towers along its border, yet hundreds have died near them. An investigation by MIT Technology Review and Times of San Diego reveals systemic failures in the 'virtual wall'. Broken towers, flawed algorithms and under-responsive agents have all contributed to deadly outcomes. Four key steps are proposed to strengthen federal oversight and prevent further deaths.

First, a comprehensive audit is needed. The current tally of deaths near surveillance towers is likely an undercount, with CBP not publishing a comprehensive map of its virtual wall. An audit would provide a more accurate picture of the system's failures and the need for improvement.

Second, the tracking of migrant deaths and remains must be fixed. The current system, BSITS, is described as broken. Border Patrol's data collection efforts are inconsistent, and the Missing Migrant Program, designed to prevent deaths, lacks a plan to measure its impact.

Third, cases where surveillance technology leads to apprehensions should be tracked. This data, once accurate, could help measure the effectiveness of various surveillance technologies. However, previous attempts to gather this information have been fraught with inaccuracies.

These steps, if implemented, could significantly enhance the virtual wall's effectiveness and reduce the number of deaths near it. But as technology continues to evolve, so too must our commitment to human lives.