Distressed Migrant Rescued in the Mountains

OCOTILLO, Calif. - U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Centro Sector rescued an undocumented individual in the Jacumba Wilderness region near Ocotillo, early Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m., when the El Centro Sector Dispatch notified El Centro Station about an undocumented individual who was in distress after illegally crossing into the United States. The individual stated he had twisted his ankle and was very cold.

Agents working in the field were notified of the distress call and were given the last known location of the individual. Agents immediately responded and at approximately 2:51 a.m., agents located the distressed individual, two miles north of the U.S./Mexico border. Agents conducted a welfare check and determined he did not need medical assistance.

The 20-year-old male, Mexican national, was safely transported to the vehicle, taken into custody, and transported to the El Centro Sector Processing Center to be medically evaluated and processed accordingly.

This the first rescue of fiscal year 2022 by agents of individuals left abandoned by smugglers, lost or in distress.