In San Antonio, Texas, the alleged driver of the truck where dozens of asylum seekers died after they were trapped in scorching heat made his first appearance in court Thursday. Homero Zamorano faces human smuggling charges resulting in the death of 53 people. Three others have also been arrested in connection to the tragedy. 

Meanwhile, immigrant justice advocates in the Texas border city of El Paso held a vigil Thursday honoring the San Antonio victims and the thousands of other asylum seekers who’ve lost their lives trying to reach the United States for refuge.

Irma Licon: “Our only crime is to have needs. We don’t come to steal or to commit crimes, but rather to work, to help our families. Each one of these crossings does not represent just one person. There are families, children and siblings behind all of this, behind each person who just died.”