U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents rescued over two dozen migrants locked inside a train car stationed in Laredo, Texas.
According to a news release published by the agency, agents assigned to the Cotulla Station discovered 23 migrants stowed away in a locked train compartment on Tuesday morning. While working their assigned duties, agents conducted a train check and discovered undocumented non-citizens in a train compartment.
A photo of the incident attached with the news release shows migrants stepping out of a train car that appears to be carrying automobiles. The release notes that the compartment was locked and all of the migrants had no means of escape.
After acquiring extra tools, agents were able to extract all of the migrants safely. All migrants were determined to be in good health and did not need further medical attention. The migrants, coming from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, were processed according to their names and individual immigration status.
“During their routine duties – and with temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees yesterday – Border Patrol agents rescued 23 migrants from a locked train compartment who were put in a life-threatening situation by callous human smuggling organizations who prioritize profit over all else,” said Laredo Sector Chief, Jesse D. Munoz in the release. “CBP’s message for anyone who is thinking of entering the United States unlawfully remains simple: don’t do it.”
The release states that migrants crossing the border illegally put their lives in peril, and that smugglers continue to lie to migrants by claiming that the borders are safe to cross. The U.S. CBP warns migrants not to cross the border unlawfully.
U.S. CBP did not immediately respond to FreightWaves’ request for comment.
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