Justin De La Torre, the Border Patrol Chief of Yuma, Arizona, announced that agents had rescued and apprehended a man trapped near the Colorado River. The individual now faces prosecution for illegal entry and will be removed to Mexico. This statement was made on X.
“Yuma Station agents rescued an illegal alien who found himself trapped in thick brush along the Colorado River after he illegally entered the U.S,” said De La Torre, Yuma Sector Border Patrol Chief. “He is being prosecuted for illegal entry under 8 USC 1325 and will be removed to Mexico at the conclusion of his criminal case.”
According to The Arizona Republic, migrant rescues along the Colorado River in Arizona have increased as more individuals attempt dangerous crossings in remote areas. Border Patrol agents frequently respond to emergencies involving dehydration and exposure. These rescues often coincide with enforcement actions targeting smuggling groups exploiting river routes and harsh desert conditions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that Yuma Station agents conducted over 900 migrant rescues in the past year, many involving families and children in distress near the Colorado River. Officials attribute these successful operations to rapid response teams and improved cross-agency coordination.
Prosecution records from the U.S. District Court for Arizona indicate that more than 4,200 individuals were charged under 8 USC 1325 (illegal entry) in the past year. This reflects an ongoing enforcement focus on immigration violations at the border, with sentences typically including time served, fines, or formal removal orders.
De La Torre is described by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as the Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector. He oversees operational and administrative duties across southwestern Arizona, leading efforts in migrant interdiction, rescues, and collaboration with community partners.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for safeguarding the nation’s borders and preventing illegal entry. Since its establishment in 1924, CBP has operated across 328 ports of entry, protecting 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.
