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 News from Around the Americas | December 2007 
US Border Patrol Rescues Continue In Cold Season
 Som Lisaius - KOLD News 13
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When we think about border rescues, most of us think about the summer months and hundred degree-plus temperatures. But scorching heat isn't the only factor illegal immigrants have to consider. Winter months can be just as dangerous - if not more so.
Both by ground and from the air, agents with the United States Border Patrol spend a lot of time doing this. Though you might be surprised that they're still rescuing people right now.
When it comes to drug seizures and apprehensions, the summer months are definitely a lot busier for the Border Patrol. But this time of year, nights in the desert can be awfully unforgiving. And Friday night, a group of 20 illegal immigrants learned this the hard way.
"There was a female individual that actually looked like she had hypothermia."
Border Patrol Agent Mike Scioli on the rescue of 20 Mexican Nationals from the town of Chiapas.
They'd walked at least 20 miles when the rains hit Friday night filling washes and stranding the group about 20 miles south of Three Points.
"We got to them, obviously they were freezing cold, but we due to all the rain - and just completely exhausted," Agent Scioli said.
The next day, another Mexican immigrant was rescued near Amado. He was in such bad shape he had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital.
What it all means is search and rescue is a year-round operation for the U.S. Border Patrol. Granted, traffic slows down considerably as families stay home for the holidays, but there's always going to be people who cross.
Meaning, there's always going to be people who get lost, injured or stranded...regardless of the season.
Says Agent Scioli, "Besides the summer, look at it right now - the weather's nice out, but as soon as these rains hit...any type of change in the weather is going to cause a traumatic experience for these people crossing through the desert - and this particular weekend just caused that."
Between October 1st and November 30th, Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector rescued 48 people in distress. Obviously they're still coming across. They're just running into trouble for different reasons. |
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