A new study shows there's been a big surge of border-crossing deaths along the U.S.- Mexico border, even as fewer people have been trying to cross the border illegally.

A report by the National foundation for American policy says there was a 27 percent increase in border crossing deaths in 2012.

"If it's a risk they want to take, and that they think they are prepared for, people are going to do it either way," said UTEP student Adrian Sobrino.

Sobrino knows about the struggles immigrants go through; his parents are from Mexico, and he hears about the stories every day.

"People have got to understand where they are coming from," said Sobrino.

Researchers say the increase is partly because more border patrol agents were hired to protect the border.

"Nobody wants everybody coming in just because they want to come in," said Sorbrino, "You know they have to go through the process."

The study also showed 477 people died last year trying to cross the border illegally, that is up from 375 in the previous year.

Researchers say higher security is forcing undocumented immigrants to travel through more deserted and treacherous areas, causing them to get stranded, eventually dying of thirst.

"If there is people dying they have to do something," said west El Pasoan David Davis.

Customs and border protection says they have over 900 agents who are trained medical technicians, ready to help whenever there is need.

Most of these deaths were reported in the eastern parts of the Texas border, where the death rate doubled in 2012.

"As human beings I hope they care about," said Davis, "It's their job to protect the security, but as human beings you are supposed to care about somebody's safety."