Eagle Pass, USA - Dateline : Recent

Storyline:
As the United States grapples with migration challenges along its southern border with Mexico, two dedicated officers, each patrolling the same river from opposite sides of the border, have voiced deep concerns over the safety of migrants amid their daily duties.

China Global Television Network (CGTN), in an exclusive report, sheds light on the parallel lives of the two officers, patrolling the Rio Grande River, one on the American side and the other on Mexican territory.

Efrain Sanchez serves as a deputy sheriff for the Maverick County Sheriff's Department in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Eagle Pass, Texas, has emerged as a focal point of the recent surge in migration to the United States. While migrant crossings have decreased from the end of last year due to heightened law enforcement, the numbers remain unprecedented.

Across the Rio Grande River, Jos Francisco Contreras leads the Civil Protection and Firefighters Department in Piedras Negras, Mexico. His team handles emergencies, fires, first responders, and potential drownings.

According to Mexican officials, 72 people drowned attempting to cross the river in 2022. Last year, there were 59 deaths. There are no official numbers from the U.S. side.

Contreras and his team have tried to convince migrants not to cross. Still, he said stopping them from crossing and pursuing their American dream is almost impossible.

Commander Contreras and Deputy Sheriff Sanchez both expressed heartfelt concerns for the safety of migrants and the security of their respective communities.

Shotlist:
Border between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, USA/Mexico - Recent:
1. Various of vehicle on patrol;
2. Officer, Mexican national flag;
3. Efrain Sanchez, deputy sheriff of Maverick County Sherriff’s Department driving;
4. Traffic, Mexican national flag;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Efrain Sanchez, deputy sheriff, Maverick County Sherriff’s Department (starting with shot 4):
"There's been a lot more activity throughout the years, I guess. Since back in the day, [there have been] a lot more people, a lot more border patrol, a lot more law officers. Especially, I see more people in the streets, running all over the place."
6. Logo of Eagle Pass on banner;
7. Officers patrolling on river;
8. Bridge;
9. Sunset;
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Efrain Sanchez, deputy sheriff, Maverick County Sherriff’s Department (starting with shots 8-9):
"We still get calls throughout the night. Like, can you make rounds through that area. People spot suspicious people walking by.";
11. Various of vehicles on patrol; officer driving;
12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed with English) Jose Francisco Contreras, commander, Civil Protection and Firefighters, Piedras Negras (ending with shot 13):
"Once the current takes hold of you, you can't stop because it's too strong; it drags you. It's dangerous even when the water is not too high."
13. People wading through water;
14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed with English) Jose Francisco Contreras, commander, Civil Protection and Firefighters, Piedras Negras:
"2022 was a very tragic year. Now we're almost at 50 drowned people on this side of the river, the Mexican side.";
15. Shoe;
16. Cross;
17. Various of people crossing border;
18. SOUNDBITE (Spanish, dubbed with English) Jose Francisco Contreras, commander, Civil Protection and Firefighters, Piedras Negras (starting with shot 17):
"I recommend that they wait a bit, wait for the process to take place, for their paperwork, and to do it safely. It's not worth it to risk your pregnant wives, children, and babies drowning. We've had to recover the bodies of babies and pregnant women for a dream that will never materialize.";
19. River;
20. SOUNDBITE (English) Efrain Sanchez, deputy sheriff, Maverick County Sherriff’s Department (starting with shot 19/partially overlaid with shot 21):
"You don't know who's crossing. You don't know their background or anything like that. Especially me I have two kids, it is kind of scary. You don't know who's going to break in or who's doing what. I know they're trying to make a better living, but there's always a process of doing it.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
21. People crossing border;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
22. Direction sign of Mexico;
23. River.

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