Eagle Pass Border Patrol agents rescue stranded Salvadoran girl

Del Rio, Texas – On Thursday, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass North Station rescued an 11-year-old girl who was stranded on an island in the middle of the Rio Grande River.

Around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, agents assigned to the Boat Patrol Unit responded to a report of possible smuggling activity two miles upriver from the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Bridge No. 1. Agents arrived to see several subjects crossing the river from the United States to Mexico. After observing a total of eight individuals cross the Rio Grande, agents discovered a young girl had been abandoned by the group and was stranded on an island in the middle of the river. Agents transported the girl, an 11-year-old Salvadoran national, to the Eagle Pass North Border Patrol Station, where agents initiated the process for her return to El Salvador.

“This incident highlights the dangers of attempting to enter the United States illegally,” said Rodolfo Karisch, Chief Patrol Agent, Del Rio Sector. “It’s very common for smugglers to abandon their charges – without regard for their safety – as we saw in this case. Fortunately, this young lady is now out of harm’s way.”

During Fiscal Year 2012, Del Rio Sector agents performed a total of seven rescues. In FY13, Del Rio Sector has performed seven rescues involving nine individuals.

Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is an integral part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.