On March 31, 2025, a man died after falling from the border barrier near San Diego, California. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Imperial Beach Station were investigating a sensor activation near the barrier about five miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The agents saw two people atop the secondary fence and traveled east to access them through a gate.
While waiting for the gate to open, the agents observed two other individuals running south toward Mexico, leaving behind a man and woman on top of the fence. The agents noted that a ladder appeared to have buckled. One agent called out for help from those fleeing but received no response.
At around 11:00 p.m., the woman fell from the fence, prompting agents to call for emergency medical services (EMS). Shortly after, they saw that the man was also on the ground and bleeding heavily. Both had landed near the base of the north side of the barrier. The agents ran over and found that while the man was moving and making sounds initially, he soon became unresponsive. Body camera footage reviewed by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility showed that agents believed moving him could worsen his injuries.
The woman survived her fall and was able to communicate with Border Patrol Agents, who asked her not to move until EMS arrived.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department EMS personnel arrived at approximately 11:20 p.m. They assessed both individuals; their report described the man's condition as unresponsive with visible blunt force trauma and uncontrolled bleeding. CPR was started at 11:22 p.m., but blood began coming from his ears shortly thereafter. A physician remotely pronounced him dead at 11:34 p.m.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of his remains early in the morning on April 1 and determined later that day that his death resulted from multiple blunt force injuries due to an accident.
CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing this incident and has notified the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust," according to CBP.
