see also: in Border Patrol:   U.S. Border Patrol Officer Memorial   U.S. Border Patrol Sectors   U.S. Border Patrol Overview   National Border Patrol Strategy   U.S. Border Patrol History   BORSTAR ...more on cbp.gov:   BORSTAR on the web:   INS Intensifies Life-Saving Measures Along the Southwest Border   INS and Mexico Intensify Joint Training Initiative   U.S. - Mexico migration issues   Joint Statement of the US-Mexico High Level Working Group on Migration   Exerts from Daily Press Briefing - DOS (pdf)   Joint Statement Tucson Binational Meeting   U.S. and Mexico Announce Expanded Efforts to Save Migrant Lives   BSI photos   How Do I Report A Missing Person Suspected Of Falling Victim To Dangers Along The Border?   Notable Rescues (FY2001)   INS Expands Search and Rescue Capabilities Along Southwest Border   INS and Mexico Intensify Joint Training Initiative   Border Patrol Enhancing Border Safety in Tucson   FACT SHEET INS Border Safety Initiative   INS Intensifies Life-Saving Measures Along the Southwest Border

• Conduct joint training in search-and-rescue techniques and aquatic safety.
• Exchange intelligence related to migrant smuggling
• Enhance the effectiveness of their joint outreach efforts to would-be migrants on the dangers of unauthorized border crossings -- especially in remote areas during hot summer and cold winter months.

Search and Rescue – Targeting hazardous areas where migrants may become lost, abandoned or in distress due to difficult terrain and the willingness of alien smugglers to lead them into dangerous territory.

Identification – Establishing procedures and resources to help officials identify those who have died attempting to cross the border - a serious problem reflected by the fact that, in FY 1999, 36 percent of the 369 migrants who died were unidentified.

Tracking and Recording – The BSI Incident Tracking System is the main repository for data collected on BSI related data.

The Helping Hand: Safety and Rescue Efforts
Each year, the Border Patrol rescues thousands of people who have been abandoned by unscrupulous alien smugglers in areas such as mountains, deserts and rivers. An additional tool in aiding those in distress is the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Teams (BORSTAR). BORSTAR is an elite unit trained in various facets of search and rescue and capable of responding to emergency situations along our southern border.

In addition to enforcing U.S. immigration laws, a vital role of the Border Patrol's mission is to educate the public in regards to the risks and dangers associated with illegal crossings. You may be able to help locate a missing person. See our document How Do I Report A Missing Person Suspected Of Falling Victim To Dangers Along The Border? Alien smugglers are unscrupulous criminals who have no regard for the lives of their human cargo. Many efforts have been initiated to assist those who do not heed these warnings. These efforts include:

• Instituted safety into every Border Patrol operational element
• Working closely with Mexican consulates to discourage illegal crossings and to assist illegal aliens who have been apprehended by Border Patrol.
• Posted warning signs in high-risk crossing areas to warn would-be migrants about border dangers
• The El Paso Sector, for example, has installed video teleconference equipment at detention facilities that allows juvenile detainees to talk with Mexican consular officials.
• Annual "Cold/Hot Weather" campaigns to warn about the dangers of crossing desert and mountainous areas along the border during the summer and winter. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on television, radio and fliers are used to reach potential migrants entering illegally from Mexico and Central America which inform them of the potential dangers of crossing with smugglers.
• Producing and distributing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on television, radio and fliers. PSAs are used to reach potential migrants entering illegally from Mexico and Central America and to educate and inform them about the environmental, geographical, and climate dangers associated with illegal entries.
• Emergency vehicles have been equipped with first-aid kits and medical supplies needed to respond to both cold and hot weather emergencies.
• Equipping all vehicles that patrol waterways with additional floatation devices.
• Providing agents with emergency medical technician (EMT) training. For example, the San Diego Sector has over 153 agents trained as EMT's and 11 vehicles have been retrofitted for emergency medical service.
Since the inception of the BSI, Border Patrol Agents have rescued over 5,000 aliens along the southwest border. For more see Notable Rescues

• September 2000 – El Paso and McAllen Sector hosted Aquatic Safety training for over 100 Mexican law enforcement officers.
• November 6-7, 2000 – San Diego Sector hosted exposure search and rescues training for 23 Grupo Beta and Federal Preventive Police (Mexican law enforcement agencies) officers.
• November 27-December 1, 2000 – Tucson Sector hosted Environmental Survival training for 53 local, state and Mexican officers (Grupo Beta and Federal Preventive Police).