Border Patrol: 28 illegal immigrants rescued since Thursday

U.S. Border Patrol reported agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector rescued 28 illegal immigrants in a handful of incidents since Thursday.

Agents at the Falfurrias checkpoint found 12 people hidden in a trailer who were sweating profusely and having difficulty breathing in the insulated heat of the trailer, according to a news release.

At the same checkpoints, agents responded to a rescue beacon nearby that one Mexican, four Guatemalan and two Haitian nationals activated Friday after apparently being lost in brush for three days.

Also Friday, agents reportedly saved one individual who grew fatigued while swimming in the Rio Grande.

“People need to realize the border area is a harsh environment that should not be underestimated or taken for granted,” Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa said in a statement.

Border Patrol offered medical attention to all rescued individuals and processed them to be returned to their countries of origin, according to the release.