Nine migrants found dead at Texas border, 53 apprehended trying to cross Rio Grande

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Nine migrants who were trying to enter the United States have died, and 37 others have been rescued, after they tried to cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, authorities said on Saturday.

Border Patrol agents in Del Rio Sector, including Border Patrol's Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) and riverine agents, responded on Thursday to a large group of people near Eagle Pass, Texas, and apprehended 53 migrants. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Air and Marine officials also aided in the mission.

Thirty-seven of the migrants were rescued as they tried to cross the Rio Grande into the United States. Officials on Friday initially said that agents had discovered eight dead migrants. On Saturday, CBP said the death toll had risen to nine. 

Three were found by Mexican authorities and another six by U.S. agents. Authorities have partnered with the Eagle Pass Fire Department and Maverick County Sheriff’s Office to search for other victims. 

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Migrants stream across the Texas border on July 13. Eight migrants were found dead Thursday and another 53 were taken into custody as they tried crossing the Rio Grande into Texas, authorities said.  (Fox News)

Across the river, Mexican authorities took into custody another 39 people. 

The incident comes as migrants continue to approach the border in a dangerous fashion. In June, 53 migrants were found dead inside a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, highlighting the dangerous conditions many face as they try to cross the border illegally.

The dead included a 13-year-old and 14-year-old from Guatemala and two 16-year-olds from Mexico. 

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, whose district includes much of the border area, criticized President Biden over his failure to visit the border since taking office in 2021. 

"53 DEAD in a truck, 53 in a river, countless dead in ditches, gullies and desert throughout #TX23….how many more must die before Biden visits the border?" he tweeted. 

As a form of protest, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the busing of migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago in an effort to highlight how overwhelmed Texas border communities have become. 

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As of Friday, more than 7,600 migrants have been transported to the three cities. 

"President Biden's inaction at our southern border continues putting the lives of Texans—and Americans—at risk and is overwhelming our communities," Abbott said in a Wednesday statement as migrants were being taken to Chicago.