Texas National Guard Reports Migrant Rescue Turned Tragic

EAGLE PASS, Texas — On Wednesday, October 10, 2023, around 11:20 a.m., Texas National Guard personnel witnessed a sizable gathering of suspected migrants traversing the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas. During this observation, a Texas National Guard member alerted U.S. Border Patrol agents via service radio, noting that multiple individuals appeared to be struggling in the river's current, with some disappearing underwater.

Responding swiftly, Border Patrol agents from the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station, including a marine boat unit, were dispatched at approximately 11:21 a.m. to assist. The stationed airboat unit, positioned nearby, immediately rushed to the area. Agents aboard the airboat commenced rescue operations upon encountering several undocumented migrants in distress within the Rio Grande.

By approximately 11:30 a.m., after securing all visible distressed migrants, agents navigated through floating debris, comprised of backpacks and other items from the group, to continue searching for anyone else in need. At 11:32 a.m., agents operating the airboat located an unresponsive male undocumented migrant amid the debris. The agents swiftly retrieved the man from the river, performed CPR, and called for emergency medical services at 11:33 a.m. The man was then transported to the hospital for further medical attention.

Continuing their search, at approximately 11:35 a.m., agents on the airboat discovered an unresponsive female undocumented migrant, later identified as a Honduran citizen, among the debris. The agents promptly administered CPR and transferred her to the U.S. riverbank with assistance from Texas National Guard personnel. Medical aid was requested for multiple unconscious individuals at this time.

At approximately 11:55 a.m., the Eagle Pass Fire Department arrived at the scene and took over medical care for all distressed undocumented migrants. The female migrant, still receiving CPR, was transported to Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center in Eagle Pass, Texas, by ambulance at approximately 12:36 p.m. Border Patrol agents provided escort to the hospital using a marked Border Patrol vehicle.

Upon arrival at the medical center around 1:10 p.m., the woman received emergency room treatment while Border Patrol agents remained on hospital watch. Unfortunately, at approximately 7:10 p.m., medical center personnel informed Border Patrol agents that the woman had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. The medical center confirmed that an autopsy would not be performed.

Following the incident on October 11, 2023, the Office of Professional Responsibility within Customs and Border Protection conducted witness interviews with undocumented migrants present during the event. Witnesses reported that the group had been holding hands while crossing the Rio Grande River, and as the river depth increased, individuals let go, leading to some being swept away by the current. Witnesses clarified that Border Patrol personnel were not pursuing them at the time of the incident, although agents acted to save lives upon arrival.

The CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the Honduran Consulate have been notified.