“Those with special needs are at increased risk when crossing the Rio Grande River, an already dangerous undertaking,” said Del Rio Sector
Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “The human smugglers that endanger the lives of these people are callous and have no regard for human life.”
Eagle Pass Station marine agents found two illegal aliens from Honduras, a woman with her 19-year-old son, hidden in the dense cane on the United States bank.
Agents learned that two unknown smugglers had brought the pair across the Rio Grande River and left them to be found. Agents realized the teenager had special needs and was unable to walk on his own. Due to the dense cane, walking farther inland was impractical, so agents carried the teen back to the bank of the river and onto their boat. The young man and his mother were safely transported to a nearby boat ramp.
The woman and her son were taken to a hospital for a health evaluation and processed in accordance with CBP guidelines.