A border patrol agent was recently attacked by a suspected migrant smuggler along the U.S.-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The incident occurred on Sept. 14 in Mercedes, Texas, just minutes from the border. The agent was attempting to make an arrest when the attack happened, leaving the agent bloody and injured. It took three agents to finally apprehend the suspect, who did not stop fighting until backup arrived.

The suspect had a tattoo on his forehead that read "RATA," which means "rat" in Spanish. This suggests that drug cartels may have labeled him as a snitch. Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, who is married to a border patrol agent, highlighted the incident on social media, bringing it to national attention.

Flores stated, "This is the type of violence that is being exerted on Border Patrol Agents by those who don't want to be apprehended. The suspect was encountered by Border Patrol near McAllen, Texas, and was labeled a rat by the cartels. Please pray for our men and women in uniform."

The incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility. The attack occurred in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, which has experienced a surge in migrants in recent weeks. According to CBS 4 News Rio Grande Valley, migrant encounters along the southwest border rose 37% from July to August. In August alone, border patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehended 46,536 migrants, the second-highest number among all sectors along the border.

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by border patrol agents on a daily basis. The violence and increased migrant activity along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to be pressing issues that require further attention and resources.