MigrationNews

One migrant dies; a second critically injured after fall from cliff in Eagle Pass, Texas

A U.S. Border Patrol camera operator observed three suspected migrants walking through a flat field approximately two and a half miles northeast of the Eagle Pass, Texas, Port of Entry on Oct. 28, 2021. Five Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station responded to the area in an attempt to locate the migrants.  At approximately 4:58 a.m. as the Border Patrol agents approached the migrants and turned on their flashlights, the migrants ran from the field toward some nearby thick brush attempting to evade apprehension. 

One migrant was apprehended, but the other two migrants ran and fell off a steep cliff that was concealed by the thick brush. Border Patrol agents immediately requested emergency medical services and made their way to the bottom of the cliff.  After descending approximately 50 feet, Border Patrol agents located the two migrants who were both critically injured.  Border Patrol Agents rendered aid to the migrants until the Eagle Pass Fire Department EMS arrived.

The Air Evac Lifeteam arrived on scene and airlifted one migrant to the University Hospital in San Antonio.  EMS medical personnel declared the other migrant, a citizen of Honduras, deceased on the scene.

The Maverick County Sheriff’s Office, the Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility are reviewing this incident.  The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified of the incident.