Eagle Pass Border Patrol Agents Rescue Pregnant Woman From Rio Grande River

(PRESS RELEASE) EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a pregnant woman who became stranded on an island in the Rio Grande River due to high water levels and strong currents.

“The Rio Grande River can be a dangerous force of nature. Due to the watchfulness of our agents, a potentially life-threatening emergency was avoided on Sunday in Eagle Pass,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “I am very proud of everyone involved in this latest rescue.”

On June 24, agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station Boat Unit were patrolling the Rio Grande River near the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Bridge No. 2, when they saw a woman stranded on a small island, waving to get the agents’ attention. She was trying to cross over from Mexico and make her way into the United States. However, unusually swift and strong currents made the river impassable.

The woman, who is pregnant and a Honduran national, did not request or require any medical assistance. Because she had no legal status in the United States, she was transported to the Eagle Pass South Station for processing, pursuant to current guidelines and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.