Woman dies after presumed fall from International Border Barrier near Otay Mesa Port of Entry

On September 15, 2023, at approximately 2:25 p.m., a Border Patrol agent assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol Chula Vista Station arrived at a location approximately 300 yards west of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The agent was patrolling the area between the primary and secondary International Border Barrier and observed six individuals scale the primary border barrier and then climb the 30-foot-high secondary barrier located approximately 500 yards to the west of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The agent drove toward the six individuals to apprehend them and reported their location and actions via radio to notify other nearby agents of their presence. The agent then observed five of the individuals slide down the north side of the secondary barrier and run further into the United States. These five individuals were not apprehended.

The agent drove his marked Border Patrol vehicle to the area in between the two barriers where he saw the individuals climb the secondary barrier. At the location, the agent observed an adult woman, later identified as an undocumented migrant and citizen of Guatemala, lying on the ground on the north side of the secondary barrier. The agent immediately requested emergency medical services via his service radio. Another agent arrived on scene on the north side of the secondary barrier at approximately 2:29 p.m. and assessed the woman. The agent reported she had significant head trauma and was nonresponsive with no pulse.

The San Diego Fire Department arrived on scene at approximately 2:47 p.m., followed, approximately one minute later by the San Diego Police Department. San Diego Fire Department EMS declared the woman deceased at approximately 2:48 p.m., noting significant head trauma. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office arrived at approximately 3:53 p.m. and took custody of the deceased woman.

An autopsy was performed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. The autopsy report details are pending and will be released by that office.

This incident is under review by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, the San Diego Police Department, and the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General was also notified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation's borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.