Scenes of the ceremony honoring fallen U.S. Border Patrol officers during the National Memorial Ceremony at the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso on May 24, 2024.
San Diego, California – Two siblings from Mexico are recovering after being rescued by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the rugged Otay Mountain Wilderness during one of the region’s most dangerous heat waves this summer.
The rescue began late Wednesday afternoon, when agents from the San Diego Sector’s Brownfield Station encountered a 16-year-old boy attempting to cross into the United States east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. According to officials, the teen was severely dehydrated and in urgent need of medical care. Emergency crews transported him by ambulance to a local hospital, where he told agents that his 12-year-old sister had collapsed along the trail and was unable to walk.
The girl’s location—somewhere within the steep, isolated terrain of Otay Mountain—prompted an immediate search. U.S. Customs and Border Protection dispatched a helicopter, while specialized Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents navigated the difficult landscape on foot. After combing through the area, rescuers found the girl conscious but suffering from extreme dehydration.
Local emergency crews airlifted her to safety before transferring her to a nearby hospital. Authorities said both siblings were treated and released early Friday morning.
The incident underscores the hazards faced by migrants attempting to cross through the Otay Mountain Wilderness, a region marked by steep canyons, limited water sources, and temperatures that can soar well above 100 degrees. In recent years, the area has seen a rising number of rescues as more people attempt to bypass heavily monitored ports of entry, often without adequate supplies or knowledge of the terrain.
“Our agents are not only trained law enforcement professionals, but also first responders,” San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker said in a statement. “This event demonstrates the steadfast dedication of our agents in protecting our country while also preserving human life.”
While the siblings’ rescue ended with both in stable condition, Border Patrol officials cautioned that not all such stories conclude safely. The agency continues to warn that the combination of extreme heat, rough terrain, and long distances between water sources can quickly turn dangerous, even fatal.
Officials said the children will be processed according to sector guidelines. The agency urged the public to report suspicious activity by calling 911 or the San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
The swift rescue, carried out in life-threatening conditions, highlights the dual role Border Patrol agents often play—tasked with enforcing immigration laws while also responding to emergencies that unfold in some of the most unforgiving landscapes along the U.S.-Mexico border.
