Immigrants Use Alarming New Methods to Cross into U.S.

They are small underwater propeller engines that make the sea travel easier.

Illegal immigrants continue to expand their methods of entry into the U.S. by means of underwater propeller engines. At a beach in southern California, these devices have already left one person in custody and another dead.

Last Tuesday, border officials confirmed that, allegedly, three other immigrants managed to evade officials with these so-called underwater scooters, whose engines helps divers travel faster and farther than swimming.

According to Sergeant David Ross from the sheriff’s office in Playa Imperial, the coastguard detected this group of immigrants last Saturday and, in addition to using underwater propeller engines, they wore wet suits and flippers.

At the beginning of this year, Border Patrol spotted these small underwater propeller engines, which can be submerged in water up to 4.5 meters deep, for the first time. This strategy, which contributes to the rise in crossings of illegal persons by sea, has forced officials to increase their coastline patrolling in the hope of ending such crossings, as well as potential deaths.

Micheal Jiménez, the spokesman for the Border Patrol, said that even though these devices can accelerate the process of illegal crossings, until illegal immigrants reach ground transportation controlled by traffickers, unpredictable currents and water conditions put their lives at risk.

According to Border Patrol, a clear example of this took place last Saturday when a man was arrested and another one drowned, while another group of two or three people managed to flee.

On Saturday, a distant storm had produced large waves that crashed on the beaches south of San Diego. The tides increased the danger of illegal crossings.

A man was pronounced dead after paramedics were called to the scene. This occurred after Border Patrol officials had detained another man, who said that one of his buddies had stayed behind and was unconscious.

Border Patrol has withheld the name and cause of death until they manage to notify the victim’s family members.