LAREDO, Texas – Members of the U.S. Border Patrol, Laredo Sector Horse Patrol Unit, working together with air assets from Texas Department of Public Safety, recently rescued a distressed child while stopping a group of undocumented migrants that had recently crossed the Rio Grande near the Western edge of Webb County. 
On March 17, members of the U.S. Border Patrol, Laredo Sector Horse Patrol working their assigned duties at a local ranch near the Dimmit/Webb County line encountered a group of thirteen undocumented immigrants, one of them being a child. A Texas Department of Public Safety Air Crew flying an air asset assisted and collaborated with the Horse Patrol unit on the ground to locate all of the subjects. Upon locating one of the groups, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the Horse Patrol Unit noticed that a child was resting underneath a shaded tree. The mother of the child was part of the group and told the agent that her child was weak and had been cramping due to the long, treacherous walk they had undergone. The agent approached the young child and reassured her that he was here to assist and bring her to safety. Due to her fragile condition, the young child was unable to walk. The agent proceeded to carry her for half-a-mile where the Horse Patrol trailer was located. The apprehended group followed the agent who was carrying the child to safety. When they arrived at the trailer, the agents assigned to the Horse Patrol Unit gathered their personal lunch boxes and proceeded to feed the child and the group while waiting for the Border Patrol transport unit to arrive.
“This event not only illustrates the outstanding collaborative working relationship that we have with other agencies such as Texas DPS Air Patrol and others, but is also an example of the outstanding work our agents do every day, not only patrolling the border but also ensuring the safety of others,” said Robert L. Harris, Commander, South Texas Campaign.
The Laredo Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.