Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigration, a proposed iPhone and iPad app by Owlchemy Labs under fire

BOSTON (AP) -- A game developed by a Boston-based tech company and allows users to drive a truck full of immigrants through the desert and try not to have them tossed out is drawing fire from some immigrant advocates.

"Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigration," a proposed iPhone and iPad app by Owlchemy Labs targeted for released in March, lets players navigate through what appears to be the U.S-Mexican border over cliffs, mountains and dead animal. As the truck hits obstacles, immigrants fall off the truck's bed. Scores are calculated by the number of immigra+nts helped crossing the U.S. border.

Developer Alex Schwartz said the idea for the satirical game came out frustration friends faced while trying to immigrate to the U.S.

But Eva Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrants & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said the game is in poor taste.

"Last year 170 human beings died crossing the border," said Millona in statement. "It's disgraceful that anyone would try to make money out of this tragedy by making light of it in a game."

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