C.B.P. News Releases

Border Patrol Agents in El Centro Rescue Six Illegal Aliens from Desert

(Monday, August 02, 2010)

El Centro, Calif. – Over the course of three days, agents from the El Centro Sector Border Patrol rescued six illegal aliens in the desert, five who were suffering from heat-related injuries.

On July 25, agents working in the desert approximately 22 miles west of Calexico, Calif., noticed two individuals cross the U.S./Mexico International border. The subjects, who were determined to be illegally present in the U.S., crossed the border in order for one of them to receive medical attention because of severe dehydration.

Agents provided first aid to both of the illegal aliens until the Calexico Fire Department arrived at the scene. One of the illegal aliens declined further medical attention and was brought to the station for processing.

The individual suffering from dehydration was taken to the El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) for further treatment. After being released from the hospital, the individual was transported to the El Centro Station for processing.

On July 26, members of El Centro Sector’s Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team working approximately 30 miles west of Calexico, Calif., rescued three illegal aliens who were suffering from dehydration. An aircraft operated by CBP Office of Air and Marine located the group after a distress call to the California Highway Patrol was made by the illegal aliens.

One of the illegal aliens suffering from severe dehydration was transported, via Imperial Reach Air Ambulance to ECRMC. The second illegal alien was treated for dehydration and transported to ECRMC by Gold Cross Ambulance while the third was treated for mild dehydration by the BORSTAR agents and transported to the El Centro Station for processing.

On July 27, agents from the Office of Air and Marine located a lost illegal alien north of the Centinela State Prison after the subject called the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. El Centro Station agents responded to the location and provided first aid. The subject declined further medical attention and was transported to the El Centro Station for processing.

Due to their immigration history, one of the subjects is being held at the Imperial County Jail pending prosecution charges. The remaining five subjects were returned to their country of origin.

As part of the Border Safety Initiative, all El Centro Sector agents are first responder trained and able to assist individuals with injuries until trained medical technicians arrive.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
El Centro Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (760) 335-5798

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 022010.xml