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An immigrant died on Wednesday due to high temperatures in the area south of Laredo, Texas, where he had entered the United States, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported on Thursday.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the South Laredo station received an alert yesterday from the Laredo police emergency service about a man who was in danger after entering U.S. territory.
Upon arriving in the area, the agents found a man “who appeared to be suffering from heat-related injuries,” a CBP statement said.
The immigrant received first aid at the scene and was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. CBP did not identify him or disclose his nationality.
Authorities warned that temperatures on Wednesday in that sector were above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius).
The individual is thought to have crossed the border illegally between Río Bravo, Mexico, and El Cenizo, Texas.
Shortly thereafter and in the same area, Border Patrol agents received another alert about a second immigrant in distress. Just as they found this second person, border authorities were alerted to two other migrants in trouble because of the heat.
In total, four migrants were found and all were reportedly experiencing problems due to the high temperatures, CBP said.
A newly acquired technology called Mobile Rescue Beacons (MRBs) was used in one of the rescues. When activated by someone in distress, the beacons send a radio signal to emergency services.
Laredo Border Patrol Deputy Chief Carl E. Landrum noted in the release that “this new technology saved a life.”
He also reminded that “the only safe place to cross the border is through an official port of entry.”
The overwhelming influx of undocumented immigrants into the country has not stopped and, as the heat intensifies, the dangers increase, the deputy chief emphasized.
May saw another all-time high with more than 180,000 people apprehended at the southern border, according to CBP data.
May’s 180,034 arrests represent an increase of about 1% over April’s 178,622, which in turn was 3% higher than March’s 173,348, two months that at the time already marked record highs.
