In a saddening incident, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported on Saturday that an unidentified illegal immigrant was found dead after attempting to cross the treacherous Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The discovery was made by the department's Tactical Marine Unit in a shallow part of the river, south of Shelby Park, around 2:30 p.m., according to Texas DPS spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez.

Expressing his condolences, Lt. Olivarez took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to address the incident, calling it "another tragedy from crossing the dangerous Rio Grande in Eagle Pass."

Highlighting Texas' heightened efforts to prevent illegal border crossings, Lt. Olivarez emphasized the need for a federal response to enforce consequences and uphold existing laws to deter individuals from attempting to cross the river.

This unfortunate event follows a recent incident in which three migrants, a woman, and two children, lost their lives in the Rio Grande over a week ago. Initially, federal officials and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, accused the state of Texas for the deaths, claiming that the Texas Military Department had denied Border Patrol access to Shelby Park when they were alerted about six distressed migrants.

However, an investigation conducted by the Texas Military Department concluded that these accusations were "wholly inaccurate," revealing that the drownings had already occurred when Border Patrol requested access to the area. The TMD clarified that Mexican authorities had already recovered the bodies before Border Patrol sought assistance.

According to the TMD, its soldiers, who were in direct communication with Border Patrol, informed them about the recovery of the bodies upon their request for access to Shelby Park on January 12. Although two migrants were apprehended by the Texas Military Department and provided medical assistance, it was discovered that they were not part of the group that had drowned.

The soldiers continued their vigilance, using various tools like lights, night vision goggles, and thermals, to ensure the safety of any remaining migrants in the river or in distress.

The recurring tragedies along the Rio Grande underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to address illegal border crossings. As Texas authorities work diligently to prevent such incidents, the responsibility of enforcing border regulations and upholding the law is a shared responsibility requiring coordination and cooperation between federal and local agencies.

The continuous loss of lives highlights the risks faced by individuals attempting to cross the treacherous Rio Grande. As discussions around immigration reform continue, efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and address the root causes of migration remain crucial in ensuring the safety of those seeking a better future.