Man dies after falling from border wall

This is a picture of a similar border barrier near Yuma.

Staff Reports

SAN YSIDRO, CALIFORNIA – An illegal immigrant died on Aug. 2 when he apparently fell from the International Border Barrier near San Ysidro, California. 

The incident took place at about 3:29 p.m. during an incursion of a group of migrants illegally scaling the border wall. 

A remote video surveillance operator spotted the group and guided agents on the ground to the location. Upon contact, two Border Patrol agents reported seeing seven migrants climb onto the secondary barrier with a metal ladder. The remainder of the group ran south and returned to Mexico through a compromised section of the barrier. 

The agents observed several migrants sliding down the beams on the north side of the secondary barrier and as he was assessing the situation heard a loud thump. 

The agent located a man who had sustained a severe head wound from an apparent fall and immediately radioed for emergency medical assistance. The San Diego Fire Department emergency medical personnel arrived at the location at approximately 3:47 p.m. and declared the man, who was identified as a citizen of Mexico, deceased at approximately 3:50 p.m.

Special agents with CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility interviewed four undocumented migrants from the group and several stated they observed Border Patrol responding to their location. One of the migrants also indicated he heard a siren coming from a Border Patrol vehicle. None of the migrants heard the agents giving commands and they further indicated they did not witness the man falling from the barrier.

This incident is being reviewed by OPR. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was notified of the incident.