
Ronald LeBlanc, Acting Patrol Agent in Charge of the Las Cruces, N.M. USBP Station said “Yesterday's (Monday's) rescue was a textbook example of multiple CBP assets working for a common cause—the protection of welfare and life.”
On Monday afternoon, the Las Cruces Border Patrol Station was notified by Luna
County’s Central Dispatch about an emergency distress call received from two people who said they were lost and in need of medical assistance. The Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of their location were received by the Luna County Dispatch from a signal off their cell phone.
Agents from New Mexico USBP stations in Las Cruces, Santa Teresa and Deming were dispatched to an area southwest of the I-10 traffic checkpoint to stage the rescue attempt
After a three-hour search of surrounding areas, two Mexican National males, ages 29 and 51, were located in an area between Deming and Las Cruces, N.M. known as “Rattlesnake Peak.” They had become lost and fell victim to the harsh desert climate and terrain.
An EMT-certified Border Patrol Agent was available to provide assistance to the two men until such time they could be transported to a safe location. The subjects were subsequently transported by Luna County Emergency Medical Services to the Mimbres Hospital in Deming, where they received medical treatment for severe dehydration.
Traversing the remote Southern border areas can present grave danger to illegal migrants who are unaware of the extreme heat posed by summer temperatures. Additionally, they may not be prepared or equipped with sufficient food and water for the length of time required to reach an ultimate destination, which could be several days.
Rescues and deaths of migrants encountered considerably from 190 incidents (involving 504 people) in FY 2006, to just 13 incidents (involving 20 people) in FY 2011.