Speeches and Statements

Migrant Dies Following Crash After Suspected Smuggling Load Driver Fails to Stop for Law Enforcement

rdaniels — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 16:51:28 +0000

Migrant Dies Following Crash After Suspected Smuggling Load Driver Fails to Stop for Law Enforcement rdaniels Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:51

Tucson, Ariz.-On February 11, 2023, at approximately 5 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Willcox Station observed a red 2003 Toyota Corolla depart the Highway 191 Checkpoint, located approximately 29 miles north of Douglas, Arizona, without being inspected. A Douglas Station agent, also working at the checkpoint, activated the emergency equipment on his marked Border Patrol unit and initiated a pursuit of the Corolla. Based on the radio traffic, the pursuit was ordered terminated by a Douglas Station supervisor after two minutes and 24 seconds due to the high rate of speed. The Corolla continued northbound on highway 191 toward Interstate 10.

A Willcox Station Border Patrol agent assisting Arizona Department of Public Safety with a smuggling related traffic scene near mile marker 311 on I-10, notified Arizona DPS of the failure to yield and the possibility the vehicle was headed in their direction. The agent left this scene and drove eastbound on I-10 to try and locate the Corolla.

The Border Patrol agent observed a red Corolla pass his location in the westbound lanes of I-10 followed by a Cochise County Sheriff’s Office vehicle at approximately 5:30 p.m. The agent turned around in the median but was unable to immediately gain entry onto I-10 due to traffic. The agent observed the Sheriff’s Office vehicle activate its emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop of the Corolla. The Corolla accelerated and began driving away from the Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The agent gained access to I-10 and drove approximately one-half mile behind the Sheriff’s Office vehicle with emergency lights activated. Arizona DPS troopers, stationed near the traffic stop at mile marker 311, deployed a vehicle immobilization device to stop the Corolla. The Corolla attempted to evade the immobilization device and struck the rear trailer of a semi-truck. The collision caused the Corolla to spin and strike the rear compartment area of the semi-truck.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and Arizona DPS troopers located four undocumented migrants, in varying degrees of physical distress due to the collision, inside the passenger compartment and trunk of the Corolla. An emergency medical service Life Flight was requested and flew three of the undocumented migrants to Banner Main Hospital in Tucson, Ariz. for emergency care while the fourth undocumented migrant was transported to Benson Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The driver of the Corolla was identified as a United States citizen and arrested by the Sheriff’s Office. Border Patrol agents responded to both hospitals and established a hospital watch on the injured undocumented migrants.

One of the injured undocumented migrants transported to Banner Main Hospital, a citizen of Mexico, suffered severe trauma and was unresponsive. The undocumented migrant remained hospitalized after U.S. Customs and Border Protection processed and released the migrant from CBP custody on February 15. Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office notified CBP personnel the undocumented migrant died on February 24 while being treated at Banner Main Hospital.

This incident is under by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:00

Arizona

Use of force incident leaves one man dead following pursuit of suspected smuggling vehicle

jmennell — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:35:50 +0000

Use of force incident leaves one man dead following pursuit of suspected smuggling vehicle jmennell Sat, 03/18/2023 - 20:35

On March 14, 2023, at approximately 6:18 p.m. a U.S. Border Patrol remote camera operator observed multiple suspected undocumented migrants load into a BMW sedan, approximately one mile north of the Port of Entry at Sasabe, Ariz. The camera operator transmitted the information to Border Patrol agents in the area via radio.

Two agents who were parked in separate marked Border Patrol vehicles near mile marker 12 on State Route 286 observed a BMW pass their location driving northbound and began to follow. The driver of the BMW was reportedly driving in an erratic manner turning the vehicle’s turn signals on and off and speeding up and slowing down.

The agents activated their emergency equipment to conduct a vehicle stop at 6:34 p.m. The BMW failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. The BMW turned westbound Near mile marker 20 on SR 286 onto Brown Bear Canyon Road, and the agents continued to pursue the vehicle. The driver of the BMW turned the vehicle to the south 3.8 miles west of SR 286 at approximately 6:41p.m., while attempting to turn around.

Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility special agents reviewed incident driven video recording system footage related to the incident captured by body worn camera. The footage showed the first Border Patrol agent who arrived positioned his Border Patrol vehicle behind the BMW, exited his vehicle, and approached the driver’s side of the BMW. The agent used his collapsible straight baton to break the rear and front driver’s side windows of the BMW. The agent reached into the vehicle as the vehicle moved in reverse. The driver of the BMW continued to move the vehicle backwards as the agent attempted to hold the driver’s left arm. The vehicle stopped and the driver changed gears and started turning the steering wheel with his right hand while the agent was holding him by his left forearm, which was outside and below the driver’s side window. The agent drew his handgun and fired one time striking the driver of the BMW.

Border Patrol agents secured the six occupants of the vehicle which included one U.S. citizen who was sitting in the front seat and exited the vehicle immediately before the shooting, two undocumented migrants in the back seat, and three additional undocumented migrants in the trunk. Both agents, who were trained as emergency medical technicians, rendered aid to the driver of the vehicle by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an automated external defibrillator. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was declared deceased on the scene by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the driver on March 15, 2023. Further information on the cause and manner of death will be released by that office at the conclusion of their review.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility responded to the scene. This incident is under investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI and is under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The matter was also referred to DHS’s Office of Inspector General.

The agent involved in the use of force is on administrative leave, pursuant to standard practice at this point in an investigation following a use of deadly force. CBP is committed to expeditious release of the body worn camera footage of this incident as soon as is appropriate to do so without impacting the ongoing law enforcement investigation, in line with the May 25th, 2022 Executive Order on Advancing Effective Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety.

This incident will be reviewed by CBP’s National Use of Force Review Board at the conclusion of the investigation. More information about CBP’s use of force review process can be found at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-use-force/update-cbp-national-use-force-review-board.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Sat, 03/18/2023 - 12:00

Two suspects die after resisting CBP efforts to inspect their vessel; 804 kg of narcotics found aboard.

jquinones — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 19:59:50 +0000

Two suspects die after resisting CBP efforts to inspect their vessel; 804 kg of narcotics found aboard. jquinones Fri, 03/17/2023 - 15:59

On January 14, 2023, the Caribbean Air and Marine Operations Center detected a suspected target of interest north of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and continued to monitor the suspect vessel as a CBP vessel from the CBP marine docks in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, was dispatched to intercept it. Three CBP Marine Interdiction Agents and a Puerto Rico Police Department task force officer on board the CBP vessel departed the docks in Ceiba at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The CBP vessel approached the suspect vessel from the stern position with the CBP vessel’s lights and sirens activated at approximately 12:19 a.m. on January 15. The CBP agents gave commands using the vessel’s loudspeaker in English and Spanish for the vessel to stop and the occupants to show their hands. The captain and co-captain ignored the commands and fled in the vessel to avoid apprehension. The CBP vessel followed the suspect vessel with emergency equipment activated and issued repeated commands to stop as CBP agents observed individuals throwing packages of suspected narcotics overboard while the vessel distanced itself from the CBP vessel.

CBP agents initiated the small boat interdiction program protocols and, after two visual warning flares, disabled the starboard engine of the vessel using a shotgun at approximately 12:20 a.m. While the CBP vessel repositioned and prepared to shoot and disable the port side engine, the CBP agents saw the co-captain of the suspect vessel with a rifle. The CBP agents told the co-captain to drop the rifle, but the co-captain raised the rifle. A CBP agent fired his CBP rifle, striking the co-captain in the torso. The captain of the suspect vessel then moved to pick up the co-captain’s rifle. The task force officer discharged his rifle striking the captain of the suspect vessel in the torso. Another CBP agent fired his rifle simultaneously at the port side engine which stopped the suspect vessels forward movement. CBP agents positioned the CBP vessel alongside the suspect vessel and boarded at approximately 12:22 a.m., taking the occupants into custody. Two CBP agents boarded the vessel to provide aid to the captain and co-captain, however they were unresponsive. The CBP agents checked the vital signs of both subjects and no pulse was detected for either man.

Four other individuals on the suspect vessel complied with the CBP agents verbal commands and were taken into custody without injury and transferred to the CBP vessel along with the suspect’s semi-automatic rifle. CBP agents continued to provide first aid to the captain and co-captain. All six occupants onboard the suspect vessel were determined to be citizens of the Dominican Republic with no legal documents to enter the United States.

The suspect vessel was identified as a grey “Yola” or small open bow boat with two outboard motors, extra fuel containers and food. Approximately 804 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from the vessel and the ocean. An additional CBP Vessel and a Puerto Rico Police Department vessel arrived on scene and assisted in towing the Yola back to Ceiba, Puerto Rico, where emergency medical personnel were awaiting their arrival.

The CBP vessel and the towed Yola arrived at the docks at 3:55 a.m. The captain and co-captain were declared deceased by the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety Medical Emergency Section. The Yola captain and co-captain were both identified and confirmed to be citizens of the Dominican Republic.

This incident is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Puerto Rico Police Department; it and is under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The DHS Office of Inspector General was also notified. This incident will be reviewed by CBP’s National Use of Force Review Board (NUFRB) at the conclusion of the review. Information about CBP’s NUFRB and procedures for reviewing in-custody deaths can be found at www.cbp.gov/newsroom/accountability-and-transparency.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Air and Marine Operations

Border Security

Drug Trafficking

Release Date

Fri, 03/17/2023 - 12:00

One dead; five injured in rollover crash near Las Cruces, New Mexico

rmaier — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 17:36:37 +0000

One dead; five injured in rollover crash near Las Cruces, New Mexico rmaier Sun, 03/12/2023 - 13:36

On February 6, 2023, at approximately 12:05 a.m., a black GMC Yukon SUV approached the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint located near mile marker 26 on State Highway 185, approximately 23 miles northwest of Las Cruces, N.M. The vehicle stopped at the primary inspection point and a Border Patrol agent approached the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the agent noticed multiple people laying on the floorboard of the vehicle. The agent suspected the individuals laying on the floorboard of the vehicle might be undocumented migrants.

The agent retrieved a vehicle immobilization device which he had earlier placed on a jersey barrier. As the agent reapproached the vehicle with the immobilization device, the driver of the vehicle accelerated and quickly drove away from the inspection area, before the immigration inspection was completed. As the vehicle was leaving the primary inspection point, the agent placed the vehicle immobilization device in front of the driver’s side rear tire, and the tire rolled over the left device.

The Border Patrol agent motioned to another agent, who was staged in a vehicle at the checkpoint, indicating to the staged agent that the SUV fled from the checkpoint during the inspection. The staged agent left the checkpoint in an attempt to catch up to the SUV. In addition, a second agent ran to a nearby Border Patrol vehicle and also drove northbound to attempt to catch up to the vehicle.

Approximately .55 miles north of the checkpoint, the agents encountered a large cloud of dust that covered both sides of the road, and determined the SUV drove off-road but could not see the vehicle. The agents continued north on the highway in search of the vehicle. One of the agents then turned back south toward the area where the cloud of dust was located and found the SUV, which had been involved in a single vehicle rollover. Agents notified El Paso Sector Communications and requested emergency medical services to respond to the scene of the collision. Agents located occupants from the vehicle and rendered aid.

American Medical Response responded to the scene at 12:26 a.m. and transported three injured migrants to Mountain View Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. Another migrant was transported to the medical center by a Border Patrol agent, in a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle and an additional migrant was transported in a Native Air Ambulance helicopter to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. A sixth migrant, later identified as a female citizen of El Salvador, was declared deceased at the scene by New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator personnel.

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility special agents responded to the scene along with Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office deputies and New Mexico State Police. The scene of the collision was approximately 962 yards north of the Highway 185 checkpoint. An examination of the scene revealed that the SUV left approximately 269 feet of tire marks prior to leaving the roadway. The vehicle then flipped and rolled approximately 118 feet and came to rest east of Highway 185.

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility special agents interviewed four of the migrants involved in the incident. One of the migrants stated that he was hiding on the floorboard of the vehicle, when the driver stopped at the checkpoint. The migrant stated the driver stopped for approximately five seconds before leaving the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. The migrant stated he looked at the speedometer and watched it accelerate from 60-80 miles per hour. The migrant stated he remembered seeing flashing lights just before the vehicle rolled over. Each of the other migrants interviewed stated the driver of the SUV left the checkpoint at a high rate of speed; however, none of the other migrants recalled seeing any emergency lights prior to the vehicle rolling over.

Special agents interviewed the agent who was working the primary inspection area at the time of the incident. The agent stated that prior to the SUV’s arrival to the primary inspection point he placed the vehicle immobilization device on the jersey barrier, close to the primary inspection point, because they have had a frequent occurrence of vehicles fleeing from the checkpoint. When he saw the people on the floorboard of the vehicle, he felt the driver of the vehicle might try to flee the checkpoint. The driver accelerated as he turned to retrieve the device and the agent placed the device in front of the rear tire as it left the primary inspection area. The agent stated he could hear air leaving the tire as the vehicle left the checkpoint.

Special agents interviewed the agents who followed northbound in Border Patrol vehicles after the SUV fled the checkpoint. Each of the agents stated they followed north to search for the vehicle once they were alerted that the SUV fled the checkpoint. Once they came upon a giant dust cloud they continued to search for the vehicle northbound on Highway 185. One of the agents then turned southbound on 185 and found the SUV in the area of the dust cloud.

Special agents reviewed radio communications related to the incident. An analysis of the radio communications revealed a 20 second lapse between the time a Border Patrol agent broadcasted that a vehicle fled the checkpoint and acknowledged the use of the vehicle immobilization device and the time the agent searching for the SUV came upon the dust cloud.

Special agents reviewed video footage captured from the Highway 185 checkpoint. The video captured the interaction between the agent and the driver of the SUV. The video captured the SUV stopping at the primary inspection area for approximately eight seconds before accelerating away from the checkpoint. A second camera at the checkpoint reveals the agents left the checkpoint approximately 16 seconds after the SUV fled the checkpoint.

CBP served all of the injured migrants with a notice to appear for an immigration hearing and released them from CBP custody on February 8. The last injured migrant was also released from University Medical Center on February 17.

This incident is under investigation by Dona Ana Sheriff’s Office and under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified of the incident.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Sun, 03/12/2023 - 12:00

Four dead; multiple injured after driver of suspected human smuggling vehicle crashes near Rio Bravo, Texas

smelendez — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 20:37:45 +0000

Four dead; multiple injured after driver of suspected human smuggling vehicle crashes near Rio Bravo, Texas smelendez Fri, 03/10/2023 - 15:37

On February 25, 2023, at approximately 3:35 a.m., Laredo Border Patrol Sector Communications personnel broadcasted information via radio to Border Patrol agents indicating that a remote camera operator spotted a group of suspected undocumented migrants near Rio Bravo, Texas. Agents heard the notification and responded to the area.

An agent in a marked U.S. Border Patrol vehicle traveling westbound on Espejo Molina Road in Rio Bravo, Texas, responded to the call at approximately 3:40 a.m. The agent reportedly observed a black Chrysler 300 sedan approximately 1.3 miles east of the Rio Grande, near the area the suspected undocumented migrants were previously spotted. The sedan drove eastbound on Espejo Molina Road, and the agent followed the sedan. As the agent followed the sedan, the rear driver’s side door of the vehicle opened, as if someone was going to exit the vehicle as it was still moving.

The Border Patrol agent activated his vehicle’s emergency equipment to conduct a vehicle stop. The sedan slowed but then accelerated, failing to yield to the agent’s emergency equipment. The sedan turned northbound on to Martha Drive for approximately 300 feet, turned off its lights, then turned eastbound on Paseo Del Tiber Road, traveling at a high rate of speed. The agent attempted to catch up to the sedan with his lights and siren activated and notified a Supervisory Border Patrol agent of the failure to yield, but the agent reportedly lost sight of the vehicle.

Approximately .4 miles west of the intersection of Martha Drive and Paseo Del Tiber, the sedan drove over a speedbump. The driver of the vehicle lost control of the sedan, veered to the south side of the road, and collided with a wooden utility pole, a cinder block wall and a tree. The sedan came to rest on its roof in front of a residence.

While driving eastbound on Paseo Del Tiber, the agent arrived at the scene of the collision at approximately 3:42 a.m. and noticed multiple people were ejected from the vehicle. The agent contacted Laredo Sector communications personnel and requested emergency medical services to respond to the incident.

Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Webb County EMS and Angel Care Ambulance Service arrived at the scene. The driver of the sedan, later identified as a male citizen of the United States, and an unidentified occupant of the vehicle were declared deceased on scene. Webb County EMS transported three occupants to the Laredo Medical Center. While at the medical center one of the occupants, later identified as a male citizen of Guatemala, was declared deceased by medical center personnel. Angel Care Ambulance Service transported two of the occupants to Doctors Hospital in Laredo, Texas. After arriving at the hospital, another unidentified occupant of the vehicle was declared deceased by hospital personnel.

Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility special agents processed the scene of the collision.

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility special agents obtained video footage of the collision which revealed that the agent arrived at the scene of the collision approximately 24 seconds after the single vehicle collision occurred.

This incident is under investigation by Webb County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Fri, 03/10/2023 - 12:00

Man Apprehended in Remote Arizona Location Pronounced Deceased

jmennell — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:44:09 +0000

Man Apprehended in Remote Arizona Location Pronounced Deceased jmennell Mon, 02/27/2023 - 16:44

On January 13, 2023, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo Border Patrol Station apprehended seven undocumented migrants approximately 39 miles northwest of the Lukeville, Arizona, Port of Entry. One of the migrants, later identified as a male citizen of Mexico, sustained an injury to his left ankle while attempting to elude apprehension. Agents contacted Tucson Sector radio communications and requested medical assistance for the injured migrant via radio at 11:08 a.m. A Border Patrol agent certified as an Emergency Medical Technician was transported on a Customs and Border Protection helicopter to the remote location to treat the man. The agent EMT arrived at the area at approximately 12:05 p.m. and evaluated the man.

After the medical evaluation, the Border Patrol agents then escorted the group to U.S. Border Patrol vehicles to transport them to a CBP facility for processing. Prior to transporting the group to a CBP facility, the agent EMT reportedly conducted a second medical evaluation of the man between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m. and observed increased bruising and slight swelling on the man’s foot. The group was transported to a forward operating base located 23 miles northwest from the Lukeville Port of Entry. The injured migrant was transported in the back seat of a U.S. Border Patrol four-door pickup driven by an agent and accompanied by the agent EMT. Other members of the group were reportedly transported in a Border Patrol transport van. The agents and migrant group reportedly arrived at the forward operating base at approximately 1:50 p.m., according to the agent EMT’s patient care report.

The agents fingerprinted the migrant group at the forward operating base for identification purposes. The agents then transported the group to Ajo Border Patrol Station in Why, Ariz. The agents and migrants reportedly departed the forward operating base at approximately 2:00 p.m. Again, the injured migrant was transported in the back seat of a Border Patrol four-door pickup driven by an agent and accompanied by the agent EMT and the other members of the group were transported in a Border Patrol transport van. The agents transported the migrants over rough terrain and mountain roads and arrived at the Ajo Border Patrol Station at approximately 3:14 p.m.

The man was evaluated by a CBP-contracted medical personnel at 3:18 p.m. at the Ajo Border Patrol Station. The man complained of left lateral ankle pain extending up his leg to his pelvis. The CBP-contracted physician observed swelling, but no deformities were obvious. The physician recommended the man be transported to the emergency room for x-rays and further evaluation. The man initially stated he did not want any additional medical treatment and signed a patient medical refusal form and reportedly stated he wanted to return to Mexico instead. Later, the man reportedly changed his mind and requested additional medical care.

An agent transported the injured migrant in a wheelchair to an interview room to wait while preparations were made to transport the man to the hospital. The man reportedly told that agent at 4:01 p.m., while waiting in the interview room, that he felt like vomiting and asked the agent to retrieve a trashcan. The agent handed him a trashcan, and he reportedly stuck his finger in his mouth to induce vomiting. However, the man was unsuccessful and told the agent that he was okay.

A while later, the agents handcuffed the man with his hands in front and placed him in the rear passenger seat/prisoner compartment of a U.S. Border Patrol four-door pickup truck to transport him to the Abrazo Buckeye Emergency Medical Center in Buckeye, Ariz. Reportedly no other restraints were applied. The Ajo Border Patrol Station's surveillance cameras captured the Border Patrol pickup truck transporting the man, leaving the Ajo Border Patrol Station at 4:21 p.m.

During the trip, the man reportedly became agitated and began to kick the interior of the USBP vehicle. Additionally, the man questioned the transporting agent whether he had any backup during the transport. The agent decided to stop for assistance from other agents at the Arizona State Route 85 immigration checkpoint. The checkpoint is located in a remote area between Ajo, Ariz. and Gila Bend, Ariz. and approximately 35 miles north of the Ajo Station.

The agent arrived at the SR 85 immigration checkpoint at approximately 4:58 p.m. and was assisted by another agent and a supervisory agent, who both reportedly observed the man acting in a combative and agitated manner while sitting in the back seat. The man was holding his t-shirt in his hands with his hands in front of him and appeared to be sweating. The agent and supervisory agent offered the man water while trying to calm him down. The agent and supervisory agent suspected the man’s behavior may be related to the ingestion of drugs. The agent placed a phone call to a supervisory agent at the Ajo Border Patrol Station and suggested that Emergency Medical Services be dispatched.

After a brief period of time, the supervisory agent at the SR 85 checkpoint decided to call 911 on his cell phone; however, due to the cellular signal in the area the supervisory agent reportedly had difficulties completing the call. The supervisory agent spoke with a 911 operator at approximately 5:14 p.m. At that point, the man was calm and the supervisory agent told the 911 operator that there was no longer a need to send EMS, which was located approximately 20 miles away. The man reportedly told the supervisory agent, “I’m okay.” The supervisory agent instructed an agent assigned to the immigration checkpoint to accompany the transporting agent for the remainder of the trip, for safety due to the man’s behavior. The two agents departed the SR 85 immigration checkpoint at approximately 5:21 p.m.

The agents arrived at the Abrazo Buckeye Emergency Center, located approximately 59 miles from the SR 85 immigration checkpoint at approximately 6:25 p.m. The agents indicated the man was calm and quiet for the trip from the SR85 immigration checkpoint and believed he was sleeping. Due to the number of people in the emergency room and a concern that the man might become violent when awakened, the agents coordinated with emergency room staff to have the man taken into the emergency room via the ambulance entrance.

Upon arrival at the ambulance entrance, one of the agents attempted to wake the man to no avail. Emergency room medical staff were called to the Border Patrol vehicle and were unable to locate a pulse. The man was moved to a gurney by medical staff, with assistance from the agents, and the man was transported into the emergency room. Despite lifesaving efforts, the man was pronounced deceased by medical staff at 6:38 p.m.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on January 15, 2023. The final cause and manner of death are pending further investigation including toxicology testing.

CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility special agents reviewed incident driven video recording system footage captured by a body worn camera of one the agents who transported the man to the hospital. The footage captured Abrazo medical personnel and agents removing the unresponsive man from the Border Patrol vehicle, placing him on a stretcher and moving him into the emergency room. OPR special agents noted what appeared to be signs of postmortem change indicating the individual may have been deceased prior to arriving at the hospital.

CBP's OPR is investigating this incident. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General was also notified of the incident. Additionally, CBP’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer and an independent clinician will be conducting a mortality review of this incident.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

U.S. Border Patrol

Release Date

Mon, 02/27/2023 - 12:00

Man dies from injuries sustained after fall from International Border Barrier near El Paso, Texas Port of Entry

rmaier — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:19:00 +0000

Man dies from injuries sustained after fall from International Border Barrier near El Paso, Texas Port of Entry rmaier Wed, 02/22/2023 - 11:19

On January 15, 2023, at approximately 10:52 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Paso Station responded to a sensor activation approximately four miles east of The Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry. The first agent arrived in a fully marked United States Border Patrol transport van via the Loop 375 Border Highway and walked to a chain link fence on the elevated levy road. From this position, the agent, using a flashlight, observed a man in the All-American Canal located between the chain link fence and the International Border Barrier. In this area the border barrier is located approximately 45 yards north of the Rio Grande River. Additional agents began to arrive on the north side of the chain link fence along the levy road. After observing the agents flashlights, the man ran south across the All-American Canal and climbed the barrier. Agents ordered the man to stop and did not pursue him, as the chain link fence separated them with no access gate nearby.

The man reached the top of the barrier and then proceeded to climb down the south side of the barrier. The agents subsequently observed the man fall onto the concrete trench, landing on the south side of the barrier. A Border Patrol agent emergency medical technician responded to the south side of the barrier at approximately 10:53 p.m. to provide medical aid. An additional Border Patrol agent paramedic also arrived to provide additional medical care. The EMT and paramedic conducted a trauma assessment of the man and requested advanced emergency medical services via radio. The EMT and paramedic stabilized the man with a back board and prepared him for transport. El Paso Fire Rescue medical personnel arrived at the south side of the barrier at approximately 11:30 p.m. and transported the man to University Medical Center, located in El Paso, Texas. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, medical staff intubated the man and placed him on blood pressure support and a ventilator for life support.

The man, identified as a citizen of Honduras, was processed in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines and released from CBP custody on January 19; he remained at the medical center in critical condition. The man succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased by University Medical Center personnel on January 21 at approximately 5:25 p.m.

CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility special agents responded to University Medical center, collected radio recordings of the response, and regularly monitored the man’s medical condition during his care at the medical center. No video was identified of the incident.

This incident is under review by CBP’s OPR. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Wed, 02/22/2023 - 12:00

Man falls to his death attempting to scale international border barrier near San Ysidro Port of Entry

jgivens — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 00:46:17 +0000

Man falls to his death attempting to scale international border barrier near San Ysidro Port of Entry jgivens Thu, 02/16/2023 - 19:46

On Feb. 3, 2023, at approximately 10:57 p.m., a Minnesota National Guardsman, assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol and working as a camera operator, spotted a group of suspected undocumented migrants scaling the International Border Barrier, approximately 2.5 miles east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The camera operator transmitted the information via radio to Border Patrol agents in the area. An agent responded to the area to interdict the migrants at approximately 10:58 p.m.. The agent observed one of the migrants, later identified as a male citizen of Mexico, using a ladder to scale the secondary border barrier. A short time later, the agent reportedly heard the sound of something hitting the ground. While south of the secondary barrier, at approximately 11 p.m., the agent observed the man lying on the ground on the north side of the secondary barrier.

Another agent arrived on the north side of the secondary barrier at approximately 11:01 p.m. and immediately requested emergency medical services while broadcasting via agency radio that the man suffered a severe head wound, was unconscious, not breathing, and did not have a pulse. The agent initiated life-saving efforts and performed chest compressions until EMS arrived.

San Diego Fire Department and Faulk EMS arrived at the scene at approximately 11:12 p.m. and attached an electrocardiogram meter on the man which confirmed he did not have a pulse. EMS personnel declared him deceased at approximately 11:15 p.m.

This incident is being investigated by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office and reviewed by Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was notified.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Thu, 02/16/2023 - 12:00

Two dead, eight injured following vehicle crash of suspected human smuggling vehicle in Santa Teresa, New Mexico

lhutchens — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 22:25:14 +0000

Two dead, eight injured following vehicle crash of suspected human smuggling vehicle in Santa Teresa, New Mexico lhutchens Thu, 02/16/2023 - 17:25

For More Information

Contact Landon Hutchens (202) 407-4241; landon.r.hutchens@cbp.dhs.gov

On January 8, 2023, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Border Patrol agents working approximately five miles north of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, observed a white Nissan Sentra sedan, suspected of human smuggling, travel east on Strauss Road. Another agent working in the area observed the driver of the Nissan Sentra turn north onto Pete Domenici Highway. The agent followed the Nissan Sentra in an unmarked Border Patrol vehicle and notified sector communications, via his service radio, that he would initiate a vehicle stop on Pete Domenici Highway, near mile marker five. The Nissan Sentra slowed and rolled through the red light at the intersection of Airport Road and Pete Domenici Highway and continued north while accelerating. Reportedly, the agent came to a stop at the intersection, checked for cross traffic, then activated his lights and siren and attempted to perform a vehicle stop, but the driver of the Nissan Sentra failed to yield.

Approximately one mile north of the intersection, the driver of the Nissan Sentra lost control of the vehicle, spun across the highway median, and collided into a concrete barrier on the opposite side of the highway. The pursuing agent reported the Nissan Sentra had traveled far enough ahead of him that he did not observe the Nissan Sentra lose control. The agent requested emergency medical services respond to the scene. Additional agents arrived on scene and began life saving measures on the occupants of the vehicle.

A total of ten occupants were in the Nissan Sentra. Eight occupants, including the driver, were transported to local area hospitals and two occupants were declared deceased on scene. Three occupants were in the trunk and seven in the passenger compartment of the vehicle during the collision. One deceased occupant was ejected from the trunk and discovered in the roadway. The second deceased occupant was located in the rear passenger side seat. The deceased passengers were identified as a citizen of Mexico and a citizen of the Republic of El Salvador.

Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility special agents and Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office responded and processed the scene of the collision. The investigators determined the Nissan Sentra traveled from the northbound lanes of Pete Domenici Highway, through the median, and across the southbound lanes of the highway, leaving approximately 400 feet of tire marks before it collided with a concrete barrier.

This incident is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and is under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was notified and responded to the scene.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Thu, 02/16/2023 - 12:00

El Paso Sector

Man dies despite efforts to save his life following apprehension near El Paso, Texas

rmaier — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:36:04 +0000

Man dies despite efforts to save his life following apprehension near El Paso, Texas rmaier Wed, 01/18/2023 - 18:36

On December 30, 2022, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Paso Sector Intelligence Unit Evidence Collection Team encountered a male subject approximately four miles northeast of the Bridge of Americas, near El Paso, Texas. The male, a United States citizen, was walking in the middle of Airway Boulevard unclothed from the waist down and posing a traffic hazard to traveling vehicles. Intelligence Unit agents approached the man in their unmarked vehicle, with their emergency lights activated, but the man refused to leave the roadway. Intelligence Unit agents handcuffed the man, removed him from the roadway and sat him down in a nearby restaurant parking lot.

Intelligence Unit agents requested the assistance of the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Fire Department Emergency Medical Services at approximately 6:37 a.m. The agents noticed the man became unresponsive, conducted two sternum rubs with no response and began to administer CPR on the man. The El Paso Fire Department arrived on scene at approximately 6:45 a.m. and assumed primary lifesaving efforts on the man. Fire department personnel requested the Intelligence Unit agents start chest compressions as they attempted to intubate the man. While attempting the intubation, EMS personnel extracted a small plastic “baggie” from the man’s mouth. Agents secured it in an evidence bag. El Paso Fire Department EMS transported the man to University Medical Center while the Intelligence Unit agents followed the ambulance to the medical center to obtain fingerprints from the man.

The man arrived at the medical center at approximately 7:10 a.m. and was declared deceased by medical staff a short time after arrival.

This incident is under review by the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner and Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.

Tags:

Accountability and Transparency

Release Date

Wed, 01/18/2023 - 12:00