Agents Arrest over 1,100 Illegal Migrants in the Valley in Less Than a Week

EDINBURG  – In recent days, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 1,171 illegal aliens in eight large groups and disrupted three human smuggling events.

RGV agents encountered eight large groups totaling 1,171 migrants in Starr and Hidalgo counties in the last five days. The groups were comprised of 638 family members, 340 unaccompanied children, and 193 single adults. The illegals were from Cuba, Asia, and various Central and South American countries.

On June 29, RGV agents working in coordination with Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information of a suspected stash house in Mission. RGV agents and local law enforcement convened at the residence and discovered 31 migrants who were unlawfully present in the U.S. The caretaker, a Mexican citizen, was identified and apprehended.

On June 30, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents patrolling near Roma, encountered footprints of a small group of individuals leading away from the Rio Grande. Agents followed the tracks to a residence and requested assistance from the Roma Police Department. Inside the residence, they encountered 11 people, determined to be present in the United States illegally. The nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico were placed under arrest without incident. Agents also identified and apprehended the U.S. citizen collaborator.

That same day, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents observed a Chevrolet Avalanche loading up suspected illegals in Mission. An Air and Marine Operations asset from the McAllen Air Branch maintained a visual of the vehicle as it traveled northbound until the vehicle came to as stop and the occupants bailed out. Agents apprehended seven illegal migrants unlawfully present in the U.S. The driver was not located.

All subjects were processed accordingly.