Border Patrol, reports that on Aug. 15, Texas National Guard personnel operating closed-circuit surveillance camera systems observed four individuals attempting to cross the river from Mexico. One of the individuals, believed to be the guide or smuggler, returned to Mexico leaving two small children stranded in the middle of the river on an inner tube. The rapid current quickly carried the children downstream away from the riverbank. Border Patrol marine agents patrolling nearby in a CBP boat quickly responded lifting the two children out of the water, and brought them aboard. The children’s father, swept away and struggling with the current, was clinging to debris in a desperate attempt to keep his head above water. The agents repositioned their boat, moved in, and pulled the man out of the water.

The man and his two daughters, all citizens of El Salvador, were brought ashore and did not request or require medical attention. The family was transported to the Eagle Pass South Station where they were processed per CBP guidelines.

“This rescue serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who attempt to illegally cross the border,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “If not for the vigilance of our Texas National Guard partners and the quick response by our Border Patrol agents, this incident could have ended tragically with the loss of life of two small children and their father.”

 Since April 2018, the U.S. Army National Guard deployed to the Southwest border as part of “Operation Guardian Support” providing multi-faceted support to U.S. Border Patrol operations.