Migrant missing in ocean after trying to swim around border fence

The area where the border fence extends into the ocean is called Friendship Park at Border Field State Park. A plan is being considered to expand the area and build an 80-acre park where people on both sides of the border could gather, dine and shop, without having to worry about a border barrier. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The search continues for a migrant who went missing after trying to swim around the border fence Wednesday evening.

Tijuana rescuers say someone informed them they had lost sight of a woman who was going around the border fence that juts into the ocean between Tijuana and San Diego.

Juan Hernández, head of Tijuana's rescue service, said their counterparts north of the border also provided assistance.

In the past, migrants have been warned of strong currents, cold water and riptides in the area where the migrant and others got into trouble.

“This is the seventh time this year that we have had to search for someone who was trying to illegally enter the United States by bypassing the barrier.” Hernandez said. “We were able to find and rescue five of them, but two drowned. »

Hernández also said they are convinced others have also tried to cross the border in the water, which he does not recommend.

“We have not received any further reports, but we know there have been others.”

Coincidentally, during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Luis Miranda asked migrants to refrain from making dangerous crossings to the United States, including by sea .

He warned of high temperatures and other dangers along the southern border.

“Dehydration is likely in desert areas and areas of difficult access, there is also a risk of injury from falling border walls and drowning in rivers and streams,” he said. declared.

Miranda also asked migrants to renounce all contact with criminal organizations and not to believe “disinformation spread about illegal border crossings”.

“Illegal crossing is a violation of U.S. immigration law and carries consequences including deportation, barring future legal entry, and sometimes criminal prosecution,” he said. -he declares.