Crew Rescues Illegal Migrant in Distress
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
LAREDO, TEXAS (News Release) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations agents rescued a migrant in distress on April 1, 2024, approximately 25 miles northeast of Laredo, Texas.
CBP AMO employs agents trained as Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics as aircrew members when conducting rescue operations. These agents are certified Air and Marine Emergency Medical Service (AMEMS) agents.
On Monday, a Laredo Air Branch AS-350 aircrew responded to Laredo Sector Border Patrol Dispatch reports of four lost illegal migrants in the area that noted one migrant may be in need of immediate medical intervention. The aircrew searched the area by air and located the group. One of the illegal migrants appeared to be laying on the ground and unresponsive.
The aircrew landed and an Aviation Enforcement Agent (AEA), who is also an Air and Marine Emergency Medical Services (AMEMS)-certified agent, responded to the scene. The AMO agent and migrants carried the unresponsive man out of thick vegetation and placed him on a nearby road where the agent continued to assess the man.
The AEA spoke with the migrants and learned that the man had run out of water. The group also drank from nearby ponds and cattle tanks which may have been contaminated. The migrants stated they had begun to feel sick and the man in distress became incoherent and fell to the ground. The AMO EMT determined the patient was severely dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion. He applied ice on the man’s neck and armpits and administered fluids. The man regained consciousness and began to show signs of coherency.
“Our agents remain ready to respond to situations like this,” stated Jonathan B. Taber, Director of Air and Marine Operations, Laredo Air Branch. “The ability of our agents to rapidly transition from a law enforcement role to conduct rescue operations where they can deliver immediate medical aid is crucial to saving lives.”
The AEA transferred the patient to a responding U.S. Border Patrol EMT. The migrant cooled down in the air-conditioned vehicle and received further care and evaluation.
