El Paso, Texas – CBP U.S. Border Patrol
agents assigned to El Paso Sector conducted a swift-water rescue operation in
the American Canal yesterday, in an incident that nearly claimed the life of
one migrant.
At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Thursday,
El Paso Station Border Patrol agents spotted a male subject inside the American
Canal located near the Paso Del Norte International Bridge in downtown El Paso.
The responding agent was able to see that the person in the canal was in
distress and holding onto a chain-link fence. Agents also noticed the man was
having difficulty staying above water so they immediately deployed water-rescue
equipment and safely extracted him from the canal.
The male subject identified as
19-year-old Jose Andres Meza-Alfaro, was provided medical assistance and
treated for minor injuries by El Paso Fire Department personnel. Meza-Alfaro
admitted to entering the country illegally by paying a smuggler who led him
into the treacherous waters of the canal. Meza-Alfaro was arrested and
transported for processing.
In fiscal year 2011, U.S. Border Patrol
agents conducted ten water rescues. This most recent rescue is one more example
of how the U.S. Border Patrol remains vigilant and dedicated to the welfare of
immigrants and members of the community. This is also another reminder that
summer waterways present a clear and present danger to migrants who are
deceived by human smugglers into thinking that the swift currents of the canals
are safe to traverse.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is
the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged
with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and
between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and
terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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