U.S. Border Patrol agents from the McAllen Station conducted a rescue operation on June 6, saving an individual from potential drowning in the Rio Grande near the National Butterfly Center. The incident occurred at 12:25 p.m. when agents noticed a group of suspected illegal immigrants making landfall and initiated a coordinated response with multiple units. During this operation, one person attempted to swim back to Mexico and appeared distressed before being rescued by the McAllen Riverine Unit.
"Our agents are trained not only in law enforcement but also in life-saving techniques," stated Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. "Today's swift response by our Riverine Unit demonstrates our commitment to preserving human life, regardless of circumstances. The dangerous currents and conditions of the Rio Grande pose serious risks, and we're grateful our agents were able to prevent what could have been a tragic outcome."
After being rescued, the individual received an evaluation from a Border Patrol EMT and was taken to a local hospital for further medical assessment. In total, eight individuals were detained during this operation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is recognized as America's largest law enforcement organization and serves as the world's first unified border management agency. With over 65,000 personnel, CBP protects U.S. borders on land, air, and sea while facilitating lawful travel and trade to ensure economic prosperity.
