A pregnant woman and 1-year-old toddler were among a group of 57 undocumented immigrants detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents Friday afternoon.
Agents from the Ajo Station were dispatched to an area west of Lukeville, Ariz., after authorities in Mexico relayed information from calls of distress they received.
Border agents located the immigrants consisting of 21 adults and 36 minors, in which 17 were traveling unaccompanied.
Food and water was provided after the group was rescued from 108-degree-temperatures in the area, a news release said. They were taken to the Ajo Station for processing.
UPDATED pictures of #USBP Ajo agents render aid to 57 men, women, and children as young as 1 year old found Friday.Record heat may have sealed their fate had it not been for @CBP agents #SavingLives https://t.co/Qx9qLCacmZ pic.twitter.com/94iYPWkj0v
— CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) June 23, 2018
Only one person from the group required further medical attention, the agency said.
"Regardless of the unscrupulous and ill regard for human life attitude by smugglers, Border Patrol agents work tirelessly to ensure not only the safety and security of our nation but also the safety of those who they come in contact with," the release said.
The agency advises anyone in distress to call 911 or, if possible, activate an emergency beacon in the desert as soon as possible.
