Grande River on Sunday, February 10, 2019, after they unsuccessfully

attempted to cross illegally into the United States, as they found themselves

trapped in the middle of the river.

The family of five, including a newborn infant, attempted to cross

the river at approximately 6:00 pm, and were stuck in the middle refusing

to be rescued by Mexican immigration officials.

The heartbreaking and dangerous situation went on for two hours as

the family endured 40-degree weather while hoping to be rescued

by U. S. Border Patrol. Everyone involved in the rescue -

and hundreds of spectators - could hear the agonizing cries from the

children who were completely wet and freezing due to the low temperatures.

The sounds of anguish were too much for one female Piedras

Negras resident, who went into the river and approached the family

and began to try to convince the mother to allow for Grupo Beta to

rescue her and the children. After pleading with the adult

female for close to 30 minutes the undocumented female immigrant

agreed to be picked up by boat and be escorted back onto Mexico soil.

Grupo Beta then began the rescue efforts as they approached the family

who was standing on a large boulder in the middle of the River.

The children were the first to be rescued, and were quickly put

inside an ambulance where they were treated for signs of hypothermia.

The newborn child was visibly in distress as EMS personnel tended

to him. The mother was the last one to be rescued and they were

then transported to a Piedras Negras hospital.

U.S. Border Patrol and Law Enforcement officials on the

United States side of the river kept a close watch as the rescue took

place. There have been approximately 25 individuals who have been rescued

from the Rio Grande River in the past week in an area along both ports of entries.

The number is expected to increase as desperation to be detained and

processed by U.S. Immigration is leading so many to risk their lives

in attempts to hopefully be rescued and be brought on to U.S. soil,

where they will end up in federal custody.