EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to encounter illegal aliens in distress throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

On Monday afternoon, the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Falfurrias Border Patrol station regarding an emergency call from a man who was lost after being abandoned by smugglers. The man stated he was traveling with another person and both were in need of assistance. The Border Patrol’s Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) unit responded and located the two men.

That same evening, Weslaco agents responded to a 911 emergency call regarding a Guatemalan family who was abandoned after they were smuggled into the United States. Agents searched the last known GPS coordinates and located the mother and her four children, the youngest being 6 months-old.

The following day, BORSTAR agents in Brooks County rescued two distressed individuals after they were left behind in the vast ranch lands. Both were offered basic medical attention and transported to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station.

This morning, Falfurrias agents and an Air and Marine Operations asset rescued a Guatemalan man near Encino, Texas after he placed an emergency call requesting assistance.

All subjects will be processed accordingly.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”   back...