Tragedy on the Rio Grande: Illegal Immigrant Found Dead in Eagle Pass Crossing
The Texas Department of Public Safety reported the discovery of a deceased illegal immigrant on Saturday, following an attempted crossing of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The Tactical Marine Unit of the department retrieved the unidentified man’s body from a shallow section of the river south of Shelby Park at approximately 2:30 p.m., as stated by Texas DPS spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Expressing sorrow over the incident, Olivarez termed it “Another tragedy from crossing the dangerous Rio Grande in Eagle Pass.” He highlighted that over the past three years, around 2,300 illegal immigrant deaths have occurred due to drownings, heat exhaustion, vehicle accidents, or harsh environmental conditions associated with human smuggling.
Olivarez emphasized Texas’ commitment to employing preventive measures to curb illegal border crossings, asserting that such efforts necessitate a federal response to enforce consequences and uphold existing laws preventing individuals from crossing the river.
This incident follows the recent drowning of three migrants, including a woman and two children, in the Rio Grande. Initially, federal officials and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar blamed the state for the deaths, alleging that the Texas Military Department had denied Border Patrol access to Shelby Park. However, a subsequent investigation by the Texas Military Department debunked these accusations, clarifying that the drownings had already occurred before Border Patrol sought access.
The Texas Military Department communicated directly with Border Patrol on January 12, informing them that Mexican authorities had recovered the bodies of the drowned migrants when access was requested. The military personnel, equipped with lights, night vision goggles, and thermals, continued to ensure no more migrants were in distress or in the river after the incident. Two additional migrants were apprehended, with one turned over to the Department of Public Safety and the other transferred to EMS for initial hypothermic conditions.
