CBP reports unaccompanied children left alone at southern border by smuggler

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Record numbers of unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in the El Paso sector was reported for this fiscal year to date.

More than 20,950 unaccompanied children have been encountered by Border Patrol agents in the El Paso sector in fiscal year 2021 through August 31, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This number surpasses the prior record for unaccompanied children encounters in fiscal year 2019 of 16,159.

Many of these children are under the age of 12 and are being smuggled and subsequently abandoned at the border.

On Tuesday, agents rescued two small children abandoned near the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas.

RECOMMENDED: Border patrol agents rescue 2-year-old girl, baby boy along Rio Grande River

On August 26, agents from the Ysleta station discovered 20 unaccompanied children walking on the northside of the border barrier near the levee.

Officials said poor visibility, swift currents, and high-water levels in the levee posed a real danger to the children falling in and drowning.

All the unaccompanied children were from Guatemala, according to officials.

The youngest person in the group was a 12-year-old girl.

All the children received medical evaluations, food, showers, clothing, and a safe environment while awaiting placement by Health and Human Services.

Since August 26, there have been numerous other smuggling events involving abandonment of unaccompanied children at the border with ages ranging from 5 to 17 years of age, according to CBP.

“These pictures represent the sad reality of what is transpiring at the border,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Transnational Criminal Organizations continue to exploit the most vulnerable population - children from foreign countries. They are responsible for placing the lives of thousands of unaccompanied children at risk by manipulating their parents and later abandoning their children at the border.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.

Overall, the United States Border Patrol has encountered 130,710 unaccompanied children across the entire southern border.

RECOMMENDED:Single adults majority of encounters at southern border in August

Sign up to receive the topmost interesting stories from in and around our community once a day to your inbox.