EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Smugglers abandoned 13 migrants in an “extremely” remote area of Big Bend National Park, U.S. Customs and Border Protections said.
U.S. Border Patrol agents and rangers with the National Park Service rescued the migrants, including several children, after one managed to call 911 last Saturday.
CBP said crews found the group in rugged terrain near San Vicente Road and that medics evaluated them and found them to be in good health.
Border officials say migrants are often released into this unforgiving area of Texas that spans 800,000 acres from the U.S.-Mexico border. Officials say extreme heat, cold nights, and scarce water create life-threatening conditions.
“Many migrants, including families with children, are lured by false promises of a safe and easy journey from smugglers, only to be abandoned in this inhospitable environment,” CBP said.
Acting Chief Patrol Agent Marco of the Border Patrol’s Big Bend Sector implored people not to trust criminal organizations.
“This rescue highlights the indifference smuggling organizations have for human life,” he said. “This journey is especially perilous for children, who are often placed in life-threatening situations without adequate food, water or shelter. … Smugglers do not care about human lives— they only care about profits.”
CBP also noted that the rescue underscores the importance of the partnership between the U.S. Border Patrol and the National Park Service in life-saving efforts.