13 Honduran Migrants Rescued from Texas Border River

Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents rescued a group of 13 Honduran migrants–including six children–as they attempted to illegally cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas.

An Eagle Pass Station Marine Unit came upon a group of migrants attempting to wade across the Rio Grande not far from the port of entry on the morning of September 3. Swift currents and deep water put the migrants in danger of drowning–leading the Border Patrol agents to provide emergency assistance, according to Del Rio Sector officials.

The agents positioned their boat to protect the migrants and pulled the seven adults and six children out of the water. Some of the children were as young as toddlers.

Agents identified the migrants as Honduran nationals. Agents offered the migrants medical assistance. None had sustained any injuries. While the rescue of these migrants was successful, about 30 have recently died while or shortly after crossing the Rio Grande in this area.

“Del Rio Sector agents continue to remain vigilant and prioritize safety for all people encountered,” Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz said in a written statement. “The river can be extremely dangerous for those who attempt to traverse it. Smugglers continue to put other lives in danger for their own financial gain.”

The agents transported the 13 Hondurans to the Eagle Pass Border Patrol Station for processing under CBP guidelines.

Del Rio Sector officials report that agents have rescued more than 470 migrants so far this fiscal year — more than 4,200 nationally. In all of Fiscal Year 2018, Del Rio Sector agents carried out only 125 rescues. Nationally, that number stands at 3,661.

Near the end of August, a 3-year-old boy went missing in the Rio Grande after his mother, a Honduran national drowned while crossing the river, Breitbart Texas reported. At last report, the body of the little boy has not been found. A similar incident occurred in this same section of the Rio Grande in July when a Haitian mother attempted to cross the border with her tw0-year-old daughter. The swiftly moving currents of the Rio Grande, Breitbart Texas reported.