On Saturday August 5, 2023, at approximately 1:56 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Station were conducting line watch duties and apprehended a group of nine undocumented migrants near Sunland Park, New Mexico. One of the agents, driving an all-terrain vehicle, noticed an adult female, later determined to be a citizen of Mexico, who appeared to be in medical distress.
At approximately 2 p.m., agents on scene noticed that the woman was stumbling as she walked and was also showing signs of dehydration. At approximately 2:02 p.m., agents requested a Border Patrol agent emergency medical technician, and advised the woman was passing out. The agents assisted the woman by providing shade, water, and placing ice packs on her torso.
Border Patrol sector personnel advised via radio that EMS had been requested and was en route to the agents’ location at approximately 2:05 p.m. A Border Patrol agent EMT arrived on scene at approximately 2:18 p.m., assessed the woman was unconscious, had labored breathing, and an irregular pulse. The agent EMT administered IV fluids.
Sunland Park Fire Department EMS arrived on scene at approximately 2:25 p.m., and assumed primary medical care of the woman. EMS personnel administered additional IV fluids before departing with the woman in a utility task vehicle at approximately 2:34 p.m. and transporting her to Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.
EMS arrived at the medical center with the woman at approximately 3:01 p.m., and she was admitted into the intensive care unit under Border Patrol hospital watch.
Medical center personnel advised Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility the woman was declared deceased by an attending physician due to anoxic encephalopathy at approximately 3:05 p.m. on August 6. The El Paso Medical Examiner’s Office advised CBP’s OPR they would not be conducting an autopsy.
This incident is under review by CBP’s OPR. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.