Last week a photo of a man and his daughter went viral after they drowned together in the Rio Grande. It happened while they attempted to enter the United States illegally.
A searing photo of a man and his 23-month-old daughter who drowned in the Rio Grande underscores the perils of the migration crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border. https://t.co/y8GmQRth4L
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 25, 2019
According to Border Patrol agents, pushing adults and children into the river is a new tactic being used as a distraction by smugglers. While agents focus their attention on water rescue missions, they take advantage.
"Smugglers are often placing children in nothing more than makeshift rafts or on pool toys to cross the dangerous Rio Grande river. On multiple occasions, smugglers have pushed adults and children out of these rafts knowing that agents will prioritize life while the smugglers swim back to Mexico to evade arrest," Border Patrol Chief Brian Hasting said during testimony on Capitol Hill last week. "So far this fiscal year Border Patrol agents have rescued more than 3400 people in distress along the border and saved nearly 2500 people crammed into tractor trailers."
Smugglers have pushed adults & children into the river so the smugglers can escape while agents are occupied with rescue efforts. Agents continuously perform rescues & save lives, but despite our best efforts, too many lives are tragically lost.
— USBPChief (@USBPChief) June 28, 2019
Watch: pic.twitter.com/XJ2uGuSzwp
Over the weekend Border Patrol agents rescued a 13-year-old boy who was drowning in the river.
ICYMI: Border Patrol agents revived a 13-year-old who was drowning in the Rio Grande. The teen had been underwater for more than a minute. Agents quickly performed CPR. He eventually coughed up water and regained consciousness. More: https://t.co/C9eXhYz9bb pic.twitter.com/Cklx2loIGy
— CBP (@CBP) June 29, 2019
On Tues, USBP agents saved the life of a 13 y/o after he & his family attempted to illegally enter the US. The teen drowned in the Rio Grande & agents discovered his lifeless body after being submerged in the water for > 1 min. They pulled him out & performed CPR, saving his life pic.twitter.com/LjbgmtfoZP
— USBPChief (@USBPChief) June 27, 2019