EDINBURG, Texas –McAllen Border Patrol (MCS) station agents encountered multiple large groups of illegal aliens entering in Hidalgo County, Texas.
Monday afternoon, MCS agents working near Mission, Texas, responded to a report of a large group of illegal aliens crossing the Rio Grande. As agents arrived in the area, they observed dozens of people consisting of family members and unaccompanied alien children (UAC) crossing the river. Responding agents apprehended 110 illegal aliens in total. 53 family members were identified within the group.
As agents finished screening the first group, they received reports of another large group forming on the Mexican riverbanks ready to cross the Rio Grande. Agents responded to the same area, and again observed several inflatable rafts full of adults and children crossing the river. The second group consisted of 35 family members and 24 unaccompanied children. A total of 105 individuals were apprehended.
This morning, MCS agents once again responded to two large groups of families and UACs near Penitas, and Abram, Texas. An additional 154 individuals were taken into custody.
In the month of February, agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehended 16,583 Family Units and 11,242 UAC. This has marked an increase of over 100% in both categories. This year, RGV agents have encountered 19 groups of 100 or more people illegally entering the United States.
Border Patrol is processing the subjects accordingly.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.
~CBP~