Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, TX – Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents responded to migrants being smuggled through the underground water drainage system in Hidalgo and Brownsville, Texas. This tactic poses an exponential risk to migrant lives, especially during hurricane season.
On Sept. 13, Brownsville Border Patrol Station agents apprehended four migrants at a drainage pipe in Brownsville. Agents received information that additional subjects had previously entered the drainage system. Agents attempted to communicate with the subject(s) in the pipe, to no avail. The Brownsville Fire Department was requested and responded to assist. Approximately 10 hours later, one subject was apprehended after being helped from a manhole. The migrants stated that all members of their group were accounted for and were in good health.
About the same time, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents received information that there were subjects traversing the drainage system in Hidalgo. Agents responded to investigate the information and requested assistance from the Hidalgo Police Department. After a thorough search of the area, agents located fresh shoe prints of three individuals leaving a storm drain.
Transnational Criminal Organizations using municipal water drainage systems to illegally smuggle migrants into the United States, for monetary profit, is extremely dangerous. Drainage systems can be filled by rain waters unexpectedly. Toxic gas, some that are odorless, pose a significant health risk. Sewage water contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can almost immediately infect an open sore or have devastating health related effects down the road. Drainage systems are designed to move water rapidly and not to be occupied by humans. Thus, air flow and oxygen may be restrictive, causing one to be easily disoriented or faint.
This fiscal year, RGV agents have performed over 1,000 rescues throughout the Rio Grande Valley. RGV Sector urges migrants not to jeopardize their lives by illegally entering the United States. The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
