Border Patrol Rescues Man from Drowning at Texas River

A difficult U.S.-Mexico border hasn’t stopped some individuals from attempting dangerous crossings, and one man nearly lost his life trying to cross the Rio Grande near Laredo, nearly drowning in the process.

On August 29, agents from the Border Patrol’s marine unit sprang into action just in time to save the struggling man, who was part of a group of six individuals trying to reach the U.S. The rescue occurred shortly after the group began their crossing, which was observed by agents around 7:30 a.m.

The agents spotted the group attempting to navigate the swift waters of the Rio Grande, but quickly noticed one member was having serious trouble. He was repeatedly going underwater, struggling to keep his head above the turbulent water.

According to their report, this individual submerged multiple times, appearing unable to stay afloat. The agents aboard a patrol boat responded immediately, reaching him before he completely vanished beneath the surface.

After the rescue, emergency medical technicians assessed the unidentified person. Once they provided needed first aid, he was handed over to Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents for further processing and subsequent removal.

The five other individuals in the group were also apprehended and processed for removal from the United States according to established laws and policies.

Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Desi De Leon highlighted the risks of crossing the river, commending his agents for their prompt action during the crisis. He remarked, “This rescue is a reminder of how dangerous the Rio Grande can be and how quickly an attempted crossing can evolve into a life-threatening situation. Our agents must enforce the law and secure our borders, but they also hold the responsibility to safeguard human life. When someone is in jeopardy, our agents move swiftly.”

The Border Patrol continues to warn that the Rio Grande is among the most perilous crossing points along the Southwest border, where strong currents and unpredictable river conditions can create immediate dangers. Notably, a recent UN report identified the entire U.S.-Mexico border as the deadliest land border crossing in 2023, coinciding with rising illegal crossings under the current administration.

Even though there was a significant decline in illegal crossings during President Trump’s second term—over 90 percent less compared to prior administrations—individuals keep attempting to navigate the perilous waters of the Rio Grande.

Interestingly, rescues have also seen a dramatic decrease under the current administration compared to previous peaks. Data from CBP shows that while there were over 37,000 rescues along the southwest border in fiscal year 2023, only 1,128 rescues took place from October to July in fiscal year 2026, marking a decline of more than 96 percent.