13 illegal immigrants rescued by Border Patrol

EDINBURG  U.S. Border Patrol agents fished two illegal immigrants from the Rio Grande Monday morning. The man and woman were just two of 13 people helped by agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector in a four-day span, according to a news release from the federal agency. 

The two most recent rescues were made after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Helicopter spotted the two immigrants struggling to swim across the river, officials said. Agents assigned to the McAllen Station patrolling the river by boat responded to the area and were able to pull the man and woman, who was clinging to a tree, to safety. 

Agents also saved 8 people who had fallen victim to harsh weather conditions near San Manuel on Friday, officials said. A CBP helicopter spotted the group and guided agents on the ground to its location.

Two other immigrants were rescued Saturday near Encino after the Starr County Sherriff's Office received an emergency call from two people who said they were lost and needed help, agents said. The information was relayed to agents assigned to the Falfurrias Station, and they were able to locate the two men with the assistance from a CBP helicopter and by using GPS coordinates obtained from the phone call, officials said. Both immigrants appeared to be in good health and declined medical attention.  

Falfurrias agents also rescued another woman in Brooks County on Sunday after she made a an emergency phone call stating she was lost, officials said. Agents were able to spot her, and she also refused medical treatment. 

“When attempting to illegally enter the United States, people often underestimate the dangers posed by the Rio Grande and the harsh South Texas terrain,” Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa said. “Fortunately for these 13 individuals, our agents were able to prevent these incidents from ending tragically.”