(June 5, 2008)

FALFURRIAS--The heat index in Brooks County has been hitting triple digits over the last couple of weeks and Border Patrol Agents are stepping up their search and rescue efforts to prevent heat-related deaths along the South Texas border.

The Border Patrol's Search Trauma and Rescue team is working special operations in Brooks County. While this elite team known as BORSTAR is out to save illegals from the heat, a Brooks County rancher said it may be a little bit too late.

Ranchers in Brooks County said illegal immigrants are dying on their properties. Over the last month, they have found 14 bodies in remote areas and Border Patrol confirms at least one was a recent heat-related death.

"The situation is pathetic," said Dr. Mike Vickers, who lives in Brooks County. "There are still hundreds of thousands of people coming across the border through all of these isolated areas."

Border Patrol reported twelve cases of dehydration involving illegal immigrants when the heat index went over triple digits in the last two weeks.

"A lot of these individuals and the coyotes are leading them through more remote areas and going to other desperate means to make sure they are not detected," Vickers said. 

Ranchers said smugglers are using these new remote routes due to Operation Borderstar on Highway 281.

"In essence, these people are being kidnapped and actually ended up dying as a result of being forced to continue on when they physically can't do so," said Vickers. 

The Border Patrol is using air support to search for illegals in the brush of Brooks County, but it isn't enough. Vickers said once these immigrants get left behind, they're in trouble.

"They're actually in these remote areas where nobody is there to help them," Vickers said. 

Ranchers will continue to patrol their properties looking for immigrants, but if they aren't found in time, they end up paying a high price.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelrosa@kiiitv.com