17 migrants rescued from a locked trailer near the Texan city of Laredo

SEATTLE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents rescued 17 migrants from a locked tractor-trailer. The rescue happened at night, near the city of Encinal, in South Texas, about 40 miles north of Laredo. Photos taken by authorities show the migrants, including children, sitting inside the empty metal trailer and on the side of the road. Encinal police cooperated with Border Patrol agents in the operation.

The 17 migrants rescued by agents were all taken into custody and processed, according to a tweet from the Border Patrol's Laredo Sector.

The arrest comes as Homeland Security Investigations launched a new operation this past week to warn migrants and their families not to rely on human smugglers to get across the south Texas border during triple-digit heat.

"The message is that human smuggling is very dangerous. If you or a family member are thinking of having a family member smuggled in, think again. Don't do it," said Mark Lippa, deputy special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations. "You are placing your family member in the hands of someone who is not going to care for that family member," he added.

As of June, the CBP has reported more than 1.8 million encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border so far this year. The vast majority are single adults (56%) but Border Patrol has recorded more than 90,000 encounters of unaccompanied children or minors in 2024.

When scorching hot temperatures are brought into the equation, the dangers that migrants face can be lethal. According to latest CBP data available, in Fiscal Year 2022, there were a total of 171 migrant deaths reported in south Texas, including 52 who died while in custody. Out of the 171 deaths reported, almost half of them were attributed to either distress (55) or distress at ports of entry (30).

Border agents have been working with first responders in Southern New Mexico to save migrants from dehydrating in the scorching heat and has so far effected 761 rescues in the El Paso Sector that otherwise could have ended up as fatalities.

Border Patrol has also been finding new, innovative ways to provide their service. Agents have placed placards so migrants can phone-in their position if they are injured, as well as "rescue" beacons in the middle of the desert so those lost can approach, push a panic button and summon help.