Border Patrol agents stop 11 trying to swim into U.S.

david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

IMPERIAL BEACH

U.S. Border Patrol agents confronted 11 people early Monday morning who were trying to swim from Mexico into Imperial Beach, agency officials said.

Seven of the people swam back into Mexico, while four got out of the water and ran into Border Field State Park, where agents apprehended them, Border Patrol officials said in a news release.

“Any attempt to swim around the international border is extremely dangerous for even the most experienced swimmers,” Border Patrol San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said in a statement.

The incident occurred early Monday morning, though Border Patrol officials did not give a specific time.

Officials said the four people who were apprehended were all Mexican citizens who had entered the U.S. without authorization.

Agents “conducted wellness checks” and determined none needed medical attention, officials said. The agents took them to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station for processing.