Rio Grande Rescue: What Smugglers Don't Tell Migrants
A man nearly drowned in the Rio Grande near Laredo on August 29 — submerging repeatedly before Border Patrol agents pulled him from the water. He survived. The five others caught with him did not drown, but all six now face removal proceedings. The smugglers who sent them to that riverbank faced nothing.
What if the person struggling to stay afloat in the Rio Grande on August 29 had gone under one more time? Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector Marine Unit pulled a man from the water that morning after watching him submerge repeatedly — and he survived. Many others do not.
At 7:30 a.m., agents at Laredo South Station spotted the man in distress. He went underwater for several seconds, multiple times. Marine Unit agents reached him by vessel and pulled him out. Emergency medical technicians evaluated him on the riverbank. He and five others attempting to cross were taken into custody and processed under applicable law, according to a September 9 statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Desi De Leon said the rescue shows how fast a crossing attempt turns deadly. "Strong currents, shifting depths, fatigue and changing river conditions can overwhelm a person within seconds," the CBP statement noted — even in stretches of the river that look calm from the surface. Smuggling organizations, CBP says, routinely downplay these risks to the people they charge for passage. They profit from the crossing. They do not bear the consequences when it goes wrong.
What this means if you are considering crossing
Smugglers cannot guarantee safe passage — CBP said this directly. People who survive a crossing attempt and are taken into custody still face removal proceedings, detention, and in some cases a bar on future legal immigration. A near-drowning does not pause those consequences. If you are already in the US and fear return to your home country, there are legal options — asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or other forms of relief — that do not require crossing a river.
What to do
- If you are outside the US and fear persecution, contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a licensed immigration attorney about applying for refugee status or a legal port-of-entry asylum claim before attempting any crossing.
- If you are already in the US without status, speak with an immigration lawyer about whether you qualify for asylum, TPS, or another form of protection — many nonprofit legal organizations offer free or low-cost consultations.
- If you have a removal order or are in removal proceedings, you have the right to appear before an immigration judge. Missing your immigration court hearing makes removal far more likely and can bar you from future relief.
- Do not pay a smuggler for crossing advice. CBP and immigration courts treat an illegal crossing as a separate legal event that can affect your eligibility for future immigration benefits.
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Anyone apprehended after an illegal crossing faces not just removal proceedings but potentially a multi-year or permanent bar on returning legally, depending on how long they were in the US without status. If you are already inside the US, do not attempt a crossing — consult an attorney about your existing options first. An immigration court hearing is a legal right; missing it almost guarantees a removal order in absentia. Speak with a licensed immigration attorney before making any decision that affects your ability to stay or return.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am rescued by Border Patrol, do I still get deported?
Yes, in most cases. Being rescued does not stop removal proceedings. After medical evaluation, agents process everyone taken into custody under standard immigration law. You may still have the right to request asylum or other relief before an immigration judge.
Can I apply for asylum at a port of entry instead of crossing the river?
Yes. You can present yourself at an official port of entry and ask for asylum. Processing and wait times vary, and policies change, so check with a licensed immigration attorney or UNHCR for current procedures before traveling.
Does a failed crossing attempt affect a future green card application?
It can. An illegal entry or a removal order issued after a crossing attempt may create bars to certain immigration benefits, including green card applications. The impact depends on your specific history. An immigration attorney can review your case.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing after being released?
A judge can issue a removal order in absentia — meaning without you present. That order is very difficult to reopen. If you have a court date, attend it. If you cannot, contact an immigration attorney immediately about filing a motion to reschedule.