EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The extreme heat in the borderland has made the job of border patrol agents more difficult and the journey of migrants crossing through the desert even deadlier.
The El Paso border sector has seen an increase in migrant encounters at the border, averaging 823 apprehensions a day for August.
Jonathan Mejia reports on the increase of migrant death and rescues in the El Paso border sector
Still, with the increase in illegal migrant crossing, comes an increase in heat-related injuries and deaths.
“We want to save some lives,” said Border Patrol Agent Fidel Baca. “When we’re patrolling out here in the desert we have to switch that hat almost all the time instantly. We have to change our mentality from a law enforcement mentality to a search and rescue mentality.”
Extreme heat escalates challenges for Border Patrol and risks for migrants in El Paso sector. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
According to the Border Patrol, the El Paso sector has seen 158 migrant deaths and performed 394 rescues this year.
“With this extreme heat we’ve been encountering here in El Paso; every time we see an increase in numbers, we’re going to see an increase in all numbers that come with it,” said Baca.
Baca says the El Paso sector has EMTs that are a part of the sector and help tremendously.
“They carry IV bags, they carry things necessary to provide some of the more simpler medical assistance. If it’s something more serious we need to call an ambulance,” said Baca.
In addition to EMTs, they also have 17 safety beacons and more than 500 placards in the sector to make it easier for migrants to call for help.
Extreme heat escalates challenges for Border Patrol and risks for migrants in El Paso sector. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“We’ve had a lot of people call 911 that they need assistance, that they’re in an emergency situation. However one of the obstacles that comes up is that there’s no address they’re in the middle of the desert,” said Baca.
Baca says the sector is prepared for another surge in migrants, they have contractors to help transport migrants, and certified contractors to work with unaccompanied minors, and they have agents standing by to help process migrants at their center.
