Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents rescued five distressed illegal aliens who called 911 Saturday, and two more Monday morning after they activated a rescue beacon in the west desert.
Agents from the Ajo Station responded to a 911 call Saturday afternoon and rescued a 30-year-old Mexican national west of Why, Arizona. Agents determined the man did not need medical care.
Agents from the Three Points sub-station received two 911 calls Saturday. Using GPS coordinates obtained from the first call early Saturday resulted in the rescue of three Guatemalan nationals on the west side of the Baboquivari Mountains. A 24-year-old Guatemalan in the group required medical care and was transported to a local hospital. Saturday evening, agents guided a female caller to a nearby rescue beacon where other agents were standing by to render aid.
Early Monday, agents from the Casa Grande Station responded to a rescue beacon activation and found two distressed Guatemalan nationals near the Itak Ruins on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Agents determined they did not require medical care.
All seven individuals are being processed for immigration violations.
The west desert area between Tucson and Yuma is known for its high temperatures during summer months. Each year the Tucson Sector Border Patrol relocates resources to the west desert to prevent injuries and death.
Unscrupulous smugglers often abandon migrants in the desert who fall behind. As a result, many perish along the border every year. Border Patrol officials continue to encourage anyone in distress to call 911, or activate a rescue beacon before becoming a casualty.