Border Patrol agents arrest 1,900 immigrants over the weekend in the RGV


by Sydney Hernandez, CBS 4 News



(Source: RGV Border Patrol Chief Manuel Padilla, Jr.)

This weekend alone, Border Patrol Agents made close to 1,900 arrests throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

"The smugglers don't care for the individuals they're crossing, all they care about is the money. They see these as a commodity, not as people," said Border Patrol Agent Marcelino Medina.

On Friday, November 30, agents from the Weslaco Station found a group of 73 undocumented immigrants near Hidalgo.

One of those arrested was confirmed to be an MS-13 Gang Member, according to RGV Sector Chief Manuel Padilla, Jr.

On Saturday, December 1, Border Patrol Agents stopped 27 human smuggling attempts and intercepted 2,500 pounds of marijuana, according to Padilla.

On Monday morning, another large group of 51 immigrants were found near Granjeno.

"The majority of these individuals are from Central American countries, like El Salvador and Honduras, Guatemala."

Many of them, agents say, are in failing conditions.

"When these illegal aliens are partaking in this journey, they are not prepared. They are malnourished, they don't have very much water, very little food. They're not prepared," said Medina.

And the illegal activity is turning deadly.

"Just this weekend, Border Patrol Agents discovered two skeletal remains and then recovered one body in the Rio Grande," said Medina. "Plus, this (Monday) morning, Border Patrol Agents found the body of a deceased person in a canal in Mission. The cost of them coming to the United States should never be their life."

Agents throughout the RGV have arrested over 41,000 undocumented immigrants since October 1, 2018, according to Padilla.

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