Accountability and Transparency

On September 23, 2023, at approximately 2:34 a.m., a Remote Video Surveillance System operator observed two individuals crossing the international boundary line on foot from Mexico into the United States. Remote Video Surveillance System operators notified Border Patrol agents at approximately 2:42 a.m. that there were two individuals standing on a concrete section of the border road. Agents monitoring cameras for the Nogales Border Patrol Station advised responding agents at approximately 2:50 a.m. that one of the individuals had returned to Mexico.

Early this morning, a Border Patrol Agent assigned to the U.S Border Patrol station in Nogales, AZ, encountered a mother and infant along the border road near the Mariposa Port of Entry and immediately transported them to the nearby Nogales Border Patrol station to receive medical attention. Upon arrival at the station, the CBP contracted-medical provider and a U.S. Border Patrol emergency medical technician began resuscitation efforts on the infant who was not breathing while awaiting the arrival of local emergency medical services.

On July 25, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to inspection duties at the Hidalgo Texas Port of Entry were notified by a woman that her uncle was currently en route and would be arriving in a Mexican ambulance. She advised that her uncle had suffered cardiac arrest and requested officers contact emergency medical services to dispatch an ambulance to the port of entry.

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at approximately 2:24 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station were conducting line watch duties and encountered an undocumented migrant, later identified as a Mexican citizen, in severe medical distress.

The Border Patrol agents advised, via service radio, the man was severely dehydrated and had labored breathing. At approximately 2:25 p.m., the agents requested emergency medical services via service radio.

On Thursday, August 17, 2023, at approximately 2:58 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo, Arizona, Border Patrol Station Tactical Operations Center broadcasted via service radio that camera operators observed a large group of suspected undocumented migrants entering the United States from Mexico, east of the Lukeville, Arizona, Port of Entry. Border Patrol agents acknowledged the transmission and responded to the area. 

CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the tragic death of a 29-year-old woman in U.S. Border Patrol custody which occurred on August 27, 2023, in Harlingen, TX.

The tragic death earlier this week of a 29-year-old woman who was in CBP custody with her children is deeply saddening to all of us at CBP. Consistent with CBP protocol, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the incident.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller today issued the following statement upon release of a new data tool to aid in the fight against fentanyl:  

“Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a new interactive dashboard that will better inform the public, our partners, and key stakeholders about the dangers of fentanyl – which can ultimately save lives.  

On the afternoon of August 28, a 29-year-old woman tragically passed away while in U.S. Border Patrol custody in Harlingen, Texas. The woman was encountered with her family in the Rio Grande Valley sector during the evening of August 27 and was in custody for less than 20 hours total. She experienced a medical emergency while in custody, was treated by an on-site medical team, Emergency Medical Services were called to the station and transported her to the local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.