MARFA, Texas — On June 28, the U.S. Border Patrol Big Bend Sector held its Border Safety Event where it presented a variety of rescue efforts and partnerships that want to deter migrants from illegally crossing the border.
The dangers of crossing the border through non-authorized access points include, but are not limited to, heat exposure, dehydration and the risk of death. According to the U.S. Border Patrol Big Bend Sector, previous years revealed there were nearly 30 to 40 migrant deaths every year. So far this fiscal year, five migrants have died while attempting to enter unlawfully.
The Big Bend Sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of the country's southwest border.
"Aside from our mission of securing our nation's borders, we deal with the humanitarian effort and that is responding to rescues all along the border," said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Marco Cervantes. "We have over 500 miles of border that we're responsible for in the Big Bend Sector alone that is a very challenging mission when you consider the number of personnel that we have in this area to do that mission."
Chief Patrol Agent Cervantes said as of June, the sector currently holds nearly 600 personnel. The sector also relies on local, federal and binational collaborations to deter migrants from crossing the border illegally, and help locate migrants in the West Texas deserts and mountains.
"We always try to speak to migrants, Mexican nationals in order for them to keep in mind that crossing into the U.S. by non-authorized crossing points is dangerous," said Consulate Gamaliel Bustillos with the Consulate of Mexico in Presidio. "It's also common for people to get lost during their attempt."
According to Bustillos, the CIAM program can serve as a starting point to help people locate those who have gone missing while attempting to enter the U.S unlawfully. By calling 520-623-7874, the communication is forwarded to other appropriate agencies, which oftentimes may include the Border Patrol Big Bend Sector.
According to the U.S Big Bend Sector, since 2022, the agency has rescued 56 migrants.
These rescue efforts are made possible through technologies, canines, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and more. One example of these newer technologies includes the portable rescue beacons built and created by agents in the Border Patrol Big Bend Sector.
These are nearly 900-pound, solar-powered beacons that are handmade by agents in the Big Bend Sector such as Border Patrol Agent John Simpson. The beacon shines a blue light that can be seen up to three miles away. Once it is reached, anyone in need of assistance can press a red button beside the sign that then alerts border patrol there's someone out there that needs help.
So far, 24 portable rescue beacons have been deployed.
"We've been building them for the past three to four years... and putting them in areas where there have been deaths or injuries to assist the migrants," Simpson said. "We have a total of 30 of them built and ready to go, we're going to have a total of 33."
The U.S Border Patrol works with landowners to receive their permission so these beacons can be deployed appropriately.
Other capabilities such as the Mobile Video Surveillance Systems are used on a daily basis and can help agents see individuals that might be injured, suffering health issues or locate lost migrants.
This tool sits atop a truck's cargo bed, with a length that can reach nearly 26 feet high and an optimum range of up to six miles. Inside of the vehicle's cab is a tablet that shows the image the camera is seeing.
"You're able to obtain distance from where your vehicle is stationed to where somebody might be," said Border Patrol Agent Antonio Serrano. "It also gives you an image of your vehicle and a quick map to be able to identify where you're at in the terrain."
The Border Patrol Big Bend Sector said it's rescued migrants inside of cargoes attempting to smuggle people. Temperatures insides these cargoes can reach up to 120 degrees inside.
According to the Big Bend Border Patrol, its ambulances carry an AED, oxygen tanks, pocket CPR resuscitation masks and Narcan due to the rise of fentanyl cases. EMTs in Border Patrol are also trained in IV therapy due to the number of dehydrated patients.
So far this fiscal year, EMTs in the Big Bend Sector have responded to 43 patient care reports. The Sector currently carries 45 EMTs as well as four paramedics.