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El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the El Paso port of entry helped a woman deliver a baby boy earlier this morning. EMS then transported the newborn and mother to a local hospital for additional treatment.

“We often say that no two days are alike at the El Paso port of entry and that was certainly the case today,” said William Molaski, CBP El Paso port director. “The baby just couldn’t wait and will now have an interesting story to tell about how he came into the world.”

CBP officers jumped into action at 8:10 a.m., today when a blue Chevrolet van entered the Bridge of the Americas international crossing from Mexico. The driver of the van notified CBP officers that a female passenger was in labor. CBP officers notified EMS immediately and moved the vehicle to the secondary inspection area of the port while verifying the U.S. citizenship of the mother to be.

Several CBP officers, including one who had previous experience as a firefighter and is a licensed EMT, began assisting the mother when it became evident that childbirth was imminent. The EMT certified officer was able to help the woman in the delivery, cut and clamp the umbilical cord, and suction the nose and mouth of the newborn before wrapping the child and presenting the boy to his mother. EMS arrived a couple minutes after the birth and then transported the woman and her newborn son to R.E. Thomason Hospital for additional treatment.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.