UVALDE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector’s Uvalde Station encountered multiple groups of migrants trapped inside rail cars, in recent days.
On Feb. 14, Uvalde Station agents discovered seven migrants inside an open gondola train car. Among the group was a family from Honduras consisting of a father, mother and their one-year-old son. The remaining individuals included one migrant from Honduras and three migrants from El Salvador. Agents used an extendable ladder to safely remove the migrants from the train.
On Feb. 13., around midnight, Border Patrol agents were conducting train operations near Uvalde when their canine partner alerted to two separate sealed car haulers. The agents noted the seals on both ends of the rail cars were locked and did not appear to be tampered with. Using bolt cutters, agents accessed the rail car for inspection and discovered 13 migrants attempting to conceal themselves in the vehicles throughout the rail cars. The group included individuals from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. At the time of the encounter, the temperature was 35 degrees.
“The people being smuggled in these cases were effectively trapped inside moving trains. Surrounded by tons of steel, with no safety restraints, and temperatures close to freezing, the outcome could have been tragic. Criminal smugglers put them there. The U.S. Border Patrol removed them to safety.” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agents Jason D. Owens. “Thanks again to our outstanding agents and their canine partner. Job well done!”
All individuals encountered were identified as undocumented migrants illegally present in the United States. The subjects were processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection policies and guidelines.
To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.
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