EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley are commonly encountering families and unaccompanied alien children being smuggled into the country in groups of more than 100.
On Tuesday morning, agents assigned to the Rio Grande City (RGC) Border Patrol Station apprehended a group of 100 illegal aliens, consisting mainly of families south of La Grulla, Texas. Within the group were nine illegal aliens from Romania and two Cuba nationals.
The following morning, agents assigned to the McAllen Border Patrol Station apprehended a group of 102 illegal aliens south of La Joya, Texas. This group consisted mainly of families and unaccompanied alien children (UACs). The individuals were all from various Central American countries.
Early this morning, RGC agents, with assistance from Starr County Sheriff’s Office deputies, apprehended a group of 137 of illegal aliens south of Roma, Texas. The group was comprised of Central American families and four adults.
Despite the inherent dangers of crossing the treacherous Rio Grande, illegal aliens continue to risk their lives to enter the United States. In recent days, Border Patrol has conducted multiple rescues of individuals, who were set adrift by smugglers. Groups are smuggled on inflatable rafts almost always exceeding the maximum capacity of the rafts, and rarely provided life vests.
Additionally, fifteen illegal aliens were apprehended at two separate stash houses yesterday.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.