EDINBURG, Texas – The United States Border Patrol’s Missing Migrant Program (MMP) continues its initiative to assist migrants lost during their trek through the Rio Grande Valley. The initiative will place more than 1,200 signs in desolate areas throughout South Texas.
Recently, the U.S. Border Patrol has combined its efforts with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to deploy approximately 350 “911 – Rescue Markers” within National Wildlife Refuges in the Rio Grande Valley.
Most lost subjects call 911 for assistance, but cannot provide their location or adequate landmarks to assist rescuers. The current E911 system is a valuable tool, but does not narrow the search area enough for rapid response. The MMP’s RGV Location Marker Project involves the placement of more than 1,200 signs on high-visibility landmarks throughout South Texas. Those signs bear simple and easy-to-understand instructions to call 911 and give the sign’s unique number to the emergency dispatcher. The emergency call centers have a precise GPS location that corresponds with the sign number, allowing for far quicker responses by rescuers.
The Missing Migrant Program continues to innovate and improve with the identification of human remains found in isolated and dense areas. The MMP is focused on helping those immigrants who find themselves lost, dehydrated, and overheated in the inhospitable ranchlands common throughout Cameron, Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy Counties.
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.
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