EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents from El Paso Sector encountered two large groups of migrants in the New Mexico desert on Thursday.
The first encounter occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., when Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station received information regarding possible lost individuals. Agents assigned to the Antelope Wells Forward Operating Base responded to the remote desert and encountered a group of 45 migrants, after an extended search, near the Alamo Hueco Mountains.
The group was comprised of 44 adults from Cuba and one tender-age unaccompanied child. Agents from the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station, Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Unit, and Bureau of Land Management personnel performed a medical evaluation on site. Agents on-scene determined that no medical assistance was needed. All migrants were transported to the Central Processing Center in El Paso to be processed accordingly.
Later, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Deming Station encountered a group of 50 migrants. The migrants were discovered in a remote area with the use of imaging technology. Agents responded to an area south of the Potrillo Mountains and located the migrants lying on the ground. All subjects were medically screen and evaluated on site. Those subjects amendable to Title 42 were expelled back to Mexico. From the group of 50 migrants, one was an unaccompanied child that was subsequently transported to the Central Processing Center.
“Our agents responded quickly and rendered assistance to these large groups of people in the harsh, unforgiving desert areas where temperatures dramatically change from warm to cold,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Transnational Criminal Organizations are responsible for placing human beings at risk making them more vulnerable in this harsh environment.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635- 2509
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