3 Migrants Die in Sweltering Southwest Heat

HIDALGO, TX - Three illegal migrants died recently attempting to enter the United States at three different locations.  Here is what we know based on U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reports:

On July 25, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to inspection duties at the Hidalgo, TX Port of Entry were notified by a woman that her uncle was currently en route and would be arriving in a Mexican ambulance. She advised that her uncle had suffered cardiac arrest and requested officers contact emergency medical services to dispatch an ambulance to the port of entry.

A supervisory CBP officer called Med-Care EMS at approximately 8:17 p.m. and requested an ambulance, which arrived at approximately 8:32 p.m.

A 53-year-old male, later identified as a citizen of Mexico, arrived at the port of entry at approximately 8:59 p.m. as a patient in a Mexican ambulance.

Med-Care EMS personnel declined to transport the man due to his critical condition at approximately 9:05 p.m. CBP officers conducted record checks at the primary inspection area and identified the man had an active warrant for dangerous drugs and a supervisory officer escorted the Mexican ambulance to the secondary inspection area for further examination. The supervisory CBP officer confirmed the warrant and positively identified the man was the individual listed on the warrant. CBP officers were directed by a supervisor to escort the man and Mexican ambulance, under CBP custody, to the local hospital due to an active warrant for the man’s arrest.

CBP officers escorted the man and ambulance to the McAllen Medical Center at approximately 9:11 p.m. They reported arriving at the medical center at approximately 9:30 p.m., and the man was immediately admitted. Additional responding officers escorted the Mexican ambulance and its occupants back to Mexico at approximately 9:51 p.m.

On July 26, at approximately 3:30 a.m., CBP officers reported the man suffered cardiac arrest, had been revived by medical personnel, and was transferred to the intensive care unit. Officers reported the man experienced another four-to-five episodes of cardiac arrest until medical personnel pronounced the man deceased at 4:25 a.m.

Hidalgo County Medical Examiner’s Office personnel advised CBP Office of Professional Responsibility they would be performing an autopsy and the results will be furnished when available.

This incident is being investigated by the Hidalgo County Medical Examiner’s Office and is under review by CBP OPR. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified.

SANTA TERESA, NM – On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at approximately 2:24 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station were conducting line watch duties and encountered an undocumented migrant, later identified as a Mexican citizen, in severe medical distress.

The Border Patrol agents advised, via service radio, the man was severely dehydrated and had labored breathing. At approximately 2:25 p.m., the agents requested emergency medical services via service radio.

The Border Patrol agents advised, via service radio at approximately 2:30 p.m., the migrant was having seizures and then no longer had a pulse. Agents immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and continued until Sunland Park Fire Department arrived on scene at approximately 2:36 p.m. The fire department then took over primary medical care of the migrant.

American Medical Response arrived on scene at approximately 2:38 p.m., loaded the man into the ambulance and then transported him at approximately 2:39 p.m. to Las Palmas Medical Center. An agent followed the ambulance to the medical center to conduct hospital watch.

The man arrived at Las Palmas Medical Center at approximately 3:01 p.m. and was diagnosed with a high body core temperature and cardiac arrest. Medical center personnel informed the Border Patrol agent performing hospital watch the man was declared deceased by the attending physician at 3:22 p.m., stating the cause of death was dehydration, high core body temperature, and cardiac arrest.

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility requested an autopsy of the decedent on August 3, and the El Paso Medical Examiner’s Office advised an autopsy would not be performed, but an external examination of the remains would be conducted. The results of the examination will be furnished by that office when available.
 

AJO, AZ – On Thursday, August 17, 2023, at approximately 2:58 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo, Arizona, Border Patrol Station Tactical Operations Center broadcasted via service radio that camera operators observed a large group of suspected undocumented migrants entering the United States from Mexico, east of the Lukeville, Arizona, Port of Entry. Border Patrol agents acknowledged the transmission and responded to the area. 

A Border Patrol agent transmitted over the radio at approximately 3:02 p.m. that he was on scene and one male migrant was in medical distress. The agent requested assistance from any available emergency medical services personnel, to include air ambulance flight services. Border Patrol agents moved the man approximately two feet into a shaded area and poured water on him to cool him down.  

Border Patrol agents notified the Tactical Operations Center at approximately 3:05 p.m. that the migrant in distress was an older male, later identified as a citizen of Bangladesh, who was struggling to breathe. Agents broadcasted over the service radio at approximately 3:08 p.m., that they had initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the man.  

Border Patrol agents performed CPR until a Border Patrol paramedic arrived on scene and attached an Automated External Defibrillator to the man. Agents reported the defibrillator recommended delivering one shock, which the agents administered before continuing CPR. 

The Tactical Operations Center dispatch operators advised Border Patrol agents at approximately 3:15 p.m. that the air ambulance request was denied due to inclement weather. A supervisory Border Patrol agent arrived on scene at approximately 3:17 p.m. and requested the status of the EMS response. Tactical Operations Center personnel informed the supervisory agent that EMS personnel had been dispatched from Why, Arizona, approximately fifteen minutes prior.  

The supervisory Border Patrol agent broadcasted over the service radio at approximately 3:32 p.m. that agents were in consultation with medical personnel regarding the status of the migrant. The Border Patrol paramedic on scene contacted medical personnel at the Saint Mary’s Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, and informed them of the man’s medical condition.  

A medical center physician telephonically declared the man deceased at 3:34 p.m. Tactical Operations Center personnel notified Border Patrol agents at approximately 3:44 p.m. that Pima County Sheriff's Office deputies were responding to the scene. Deputies arrived on scene at approximately 4:37 p.m. and took custody of the decedent.  

The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office advised CBP Office of Professional Responsibility special agents on August 21 that they conducted an autopsy of the decedent. The results of the autopsy will be furnished by that office when available.