Four Illegal Border Crossers Rescued in California Border Mountains

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents rescued four illegal border crossers who became lost in the Jacumba Mountain Wilderness on April 23. The agents found the four people severely dehydrated but otherwise in good health before processing them for return to Mexico.

Four people called 911 on Thursday morning to report they were lost and needed help. Emergency dispatchers forwarded the calls to El Centro Sector Border Patrol radio communications staff who began an electronic search for the lost migrants, according to information obtained from El Centro Sector Border Patrol officials.

Dispatchers determined the approximate location of the lost migrants from their cell phone signals and sent the information to Border Patrol agents in the area. The agents began a search of the area south of Ocotillo, California, and found two of the people. An initial assessment indicated the migrants were extremely tired and dehydrated after climbing through the mountains in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Officials noted the terrain in the area is “extremely dangerous.”

Unable to locate the other two illegal aliens, agents requested assistance from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew. The aircrew and Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue operators began a search of the area in a Blackhawk helicopter. After obtaining a visual on the two migrants, the AMO aircrew directed the ground-based BORSTAR agents to the location. The agents conducted an initial medical assessment and provided the migrants with water for rehydration.

Emergency Medical Technicians cleared the four illegal aliens medically. Border Patrol agents transported them to the station for processing. Under current coronavirus protection protocols, the two men, one woman, and one juvenile male will likely be returned expeditiously to Mexico.

“This rescue is another reminder of the risks and dangers associated with illegally crossing into the United States.  The high temperatures and dangerous terrain could be deadly,” El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino said in a written statement. “Saving a life is always a priority; this rescue can be attributed to the dedication and commitment of our agents who work tirelessly to protect and secure the Southwest Border.”

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.