EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents continue to encounter and apprehended large groups of illegal aliens entering the U.S. from Mexico. As this is happening area Border Patrol Agents remain occupied with additional incidents of note including multiple cases of prior violators attempting to blend in with larger groups of illegal aliens.
Two large groups were apprehended in separate incidents during the week. On June 4 El Paso Station Agents responded to a large group of illegal aliens crossing the Rio Grande just west of Fonseca Street. As responding agents arrived the amount of illegal aliens increased. Agents at the scene apprehended a total of 268 illegal aliens. In a separate incident on June 5 Agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station apprehended a group of 258 illegal aliens near the Antelope Wells Port of Entry in the remote New Mexico boot heel. Both large groups were comprised primarily of family units and unaccompanied children from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
On June 5 an Agent assigned to the soft sided facility located at the El Paso Station was performing roll call when she was threatened and assaulted by a female Cuban national. The woman was immediately restrained by fellow Agents. The assaulted Agent was medically evaluated with no injuries noted or claimed. The Federal Bureau of Investigations was contacted and will conduct an investigation of the assault.
While processing illegal aliens in custody Clint Station Agents identified a male subject with a criminal record and a conviction for sexual assault. Daniel Sierra Alvarado, a 30-year-old Mexican national had been sentenced to two years by Colorado Department of Youth Corrections for Sexual Assault. He was formally removed from the U.S. after serving the sentence. He was part of a group of nine when apprehended by Border Patrol agents.
In a separate incident Agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Station arrested a male subject who had previously been convicted for carnal knowledge of a child in Fairfax County, Virginia. The 35-year-old Guatemalan, was sentenced in May of 2008 and served a 30 month sentence and was formally removed from the U.S. He was entering the U.S. in a group of 16 people when apprehended by Border Patrol agents.
El Paso Station agents encountered a 44-year-old Mexican national who had previously served time on a conviction of rape/sex offense against a child. Carlos Rosales Matamoros was convicted in the state of Oklahoma in 1999 to 25 years and served ten years and was formally removed from the U.S. All subjects are currently being held pending criminal proceedings.
During this busy week El Paso Sector Agents also conducted two water rescues in two separate incidents June 5 and June 6. El Paso Station Agents observed illegal aliens attempting to enter the U.S. and cross through dangerous canals adjacent to the border. In both incidents illegal aliens were carried away by the fast moving and chilly canal waters. Agents managed to rescue a total of four illegal aliens. All were medically evaluated and transported for additional processing. The U.S. Border Patrol reminds members of the public that water was recently released at Elephant Butte dam and waters at area canals and the river are rising and dangerous.
The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol will continue to uphold the oath they made to this county by apprehending all of those who attempt to enter our country illegally.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509 toll free.