“The purpose of today is to educate the public about the border safety initiative, the deployment of life saving technology, emergency response personnel coupled with binational information campaigns aimed at reducing the numbers of migrant deaths, while making the border safer for agents and border residents,” said Acting Supervisor and Border Patrol Agent Cory Maddox. “In addition to preventing deaths, the BSI also aims to protect migrants who fall prey to unscrupulous smugglers who have no regard for their life or safety.”
   The Border Safety Initiative, along with the special unit BORSTAR or Border Search Trauma and Rescue founded in 1998, whose primary function was to locate people in distress and provide medical care, have helped save lives.
   During the 2015- 2016 fiscal year, 18 rescues were made by Del Rio sector Border Patrol. Unfortunately, there were also 14 deaths that year. The sector also reported 2,689 unaccompanied juveniles.
   “Today BORSTAR is an all weather, all terrain capable search, rescue and enforcement unit, and is often the only rescue unit available for miles in remote areas of the border. BORSTAR agents are trained in search and rescue, land navigation, technical rescue techniques and emergency first aid, and are qualified emergency medical technicians or EMTs,” said Maddox. “This specialized capability is beyond the standard skill set that US Border Patrol agents maintain to treat individuals they encounter who need medical needs in the field. CBP Air and Marine Operations or AMO provides aviation response capability for remote areas of the border to ensure security as well as conduct search, rescue, and medical evacuation when necessary.”
   Still, the journey to the US remains a treacherous one. Agents hope getting information out on the dangers of crossing the border illegally will deter immigrants from making the trip that could end in physical abuse, abandonment in the desert, starvation, extreme dehydration, or drowning.