Pelley began the story by proclaiming: "In the California
desert, in a field of mud, is a graveyard that is hard to
imagine in America. Bricks mark the final resting place of
hundreds of human beings, identities unknown. They died
traveling to America in search of a life better than their home
countries could offer." Moments later, Pelley explained: "While
the canal is a death trap, it is also a lifeline for the
nation....Two thirds of our winter fruits and vegetables are
grown with this water. But half of the people who pick those
crops are illegal immigrants. To get the jobs created by the
canal, they cross the canal, usually at night on makeshift rafts
or using plastic jugs for flotation." It did not take long to
for Pelley place blame for drownings, not on those crossing the
border illegally, but on those operating the canal: "The water
is 225 feet across, 20 feet deep, with almost no rescue lines or
climb-out ladders, safety devices that you would find in some
other canals....management is controlled by