Eagle Pass Border Patrol Helps the Community

(Press Release) U.S. Border Patrol Explorers teamed up with Mission Border Hope to build and donate beds to local families and help repaint a community park.

“Enforcing immigration law at our nation’s borders is paramount but we also look to improve the quality of life for the citizens we protect, within the communities we patrol,” stated Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “I commend the selfless efforts of these hardworking Explorers, their advisors, and associated volunteers.”

Between March 12-14, Explorers from the Eagle Pass Station and the Eagle Pass South Station, while on Spring Break from their schools, engaged in community service projects designed to aid needy children in the area. Mission Border Hope, a local community outreach group in Eagle Pass, had previously identified impoverished families where children had no beds of their own. For the first two days, Explorers built beds from scratch, painted them, and delivered them to families. Cost for the materials (wood, paint, hardware, etc.) had been raised from community donors. A charity softball game was held between Explorers from both Border Patrol posts and the Office of Field Operations Post 2303 (Eagle Pass Port of Entry).  Apart from providing a community service, the event also gave Explorers valuable experience in basic carpentry and construction.

Rounding out their three days of community service, Explorers convened at a park in the Seco Mines area and painted several areas to help beautify the space. Explorers re-painted lines on the basketball courts and decorated surrounding masonry with paint and artwork. Now children can enjoy a more colorful space to play.

The Border Patrol Explorers are all young men and women between the ages of 14 – 18 who work with Border Patrol agents to learn about careers in law enforcement. Explorers are all junior high and high school students who get exposed to training and law enforcement type scenarios that will help develop their prospective careers. Students also engage in many hours of rewarding public service that benefits not only themselves, but the communities in which they reside.

For more information about a local Explorer Program, please contact the nearest Border Patrol station.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.