LA JOYA, Texas – McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) Riverine agents rescued two Mexican nationals and an El Salvadoran national from possible drowning in the Rio Grande.
At approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 12, an MCS camera operator relayed information of several subjects attempting to make landfall by raft south of La Joya. As agents responded, several subjects were observed loading onto the raft and safely returned to Mexico. However, three individuals had jumped into the water and attempted to swim back to Mexico. As riverine agents approached the area, they spotted the three subjects in the water, struggling to stay afloat. The riverine agents assisted all three migrants onto their vessel and transported them to awaiting agents on land nearby. An Emergency Medical Technician agent evaluated them and determined one migrant needed to be transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.
“I am very proud of the agents out there this morning and throughout the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) who are working diligently to assure our borders are secure. This is just one example of the dangers migrants face while entering the U.S. RGV agents have made more than a thousand rescues this fiscal year. I am sure, without a doubt, without these agents proper training and response, this incident would have resulted in a different outcome.” (A)CPA Joel Martinez.
All subjects were processed accordingly.
Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV and @USBPChiefRGV.