see also: in July 2007 News Releases:   CBP Air and Marine Acquires Helicopters for Border Security Mission   CBP Officers At El Paso Port Nab 50 Pounds Of Cocaine; Two Juveniles Taken Into Custody   CBP Border Patrol Agent Dies In the Line of Duty   Hong Kong to Scan U.S.-Bound Goods for Radiation as Part of Secure Freight Initiative   CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted For Murder, Rape, Burglary   Operation Streamline Nets 1,200-Plus Prosecutions in Arizona ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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El Paso, Texas – El Paso Sector Border Patrol agents performed their third water rescue in a week early Friday after a male and female struggled to stay afloat after attempting to cross into the United States through the American Canal.

Early this morning, Border Patrol agents responded to a female migrant trapped in the canal east of the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry. The juvenile female was assisted out of the waterway by agents who utilized ropes and flotation devices located in rescue boxes that are strategically placed along the canal by the Border Patrol. Shortly after pulling the female from the canal, agents helped a second migrant who called for help in the same proximity of the canal as the female. Agents utilized water rescue equipment to extract the second migrant from the swift currents.

El Paso Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and evaluated both subjects. The juvenile female was transported to Thomason Hospital for further treatment, while the second subject was transported to Las Palmas Medical Center. Both migrants are currently in Border Patrol custody pending removal. Border Patrol officials notified the Office of the Mexican Consulate about the incident.

Members of the Border Patrol Sector Liaison Unit (SLU) have communicated frequently with Mexican officials in response to recent activity of migrants who utilize the canals to cross into the United States. SLU has reached out to Centro de Investigaciones y Seguridad Nacional (CISEN), the Mexican Intelligence agency, and to the Juarez Police Department in an effort to work together to discourage migrants from crossing dangerous irrigation canals.

Increasingly high levels of water in the irrigation canals create perilous conditions for migrants who attempt to cross them. Strong currents and other dynamics of the canal can be challenging even for accomplished swimmers. This spring, Border Patrol officials issued warnings to would-be migrants intent on crossing waterways that parallel the international boundary. Additionally, the U.S. Border Patrol sponsors the “No Mas Cruces en La Frontera” campaign which distributes public service announcements, billboards and other materials throughout Mexico and Central America warning people of the dangers of illegally crossing into the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.