( CNN ) -- Deputies in Arizona 's Maricopa County will leave white wooden crosses at desert locations to mark the spots where immigrants die as they try to enter the country from Mexico . Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who made the announcement , said 14 people have died since June in the area known as Gild Bend . More than 30 people have been rescued in the same area , he said at a Thursday news conference in the desert south of Phoenix . `` Desert crossers are dying in unknown numbers due to the desert 's brutal conditions and excessively high temperatures , '' the sheriff said . He said the crosses , made by inmates , also will serve as landmarks so people in distress in the desert can give their location when they call for help . The sheriff criticized the federal government for failing to seal the border and said it should reimburse his county for `` the time and resources spent on these mercy missions . '' Arpaio is known for his strict approach to immigration enforcement in Maricopa County and has been at odds with the federal government over immigration policy . In May , a federal judge agreed with the Justice Department that his deputies were illegally detaining Hispanics on pretexts to try to find undocumented people . Arpaio has said he will appeal the judge 's ruling , which stopped a program of traffic sweeps .
Sheriff cites 14 recent deaths of border crossers in desert heat . Arpaio : Deputies have rescued more than 30 people in the desert recently . Sheriff criticizes federal government for failing to control border . In May , a federal judge found Arpaio 's deputies illegally detained Hispanics .