FALFURRIAS, Texas – As millions of immigrants have crossed the border, for many US Border Patrol agents they are reminded of the “Victoria 19.”
In 2003, 19 women and children were killed after agents found 79 immigrants packed into the back of an 18-wheeler.
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“They were driven from the border in the Harlingen area all the way up to Houston,” Doyle Amidon said. “That was their final destination."
Doyle works out of the Falfurrias office for Border Patrol.
Inside the truck that day the temperature reached 174 degrees.
"Can you imagine being in something like this for three and a half hours?” Doyle asked.
KSAT and other members of the media were given a firsthand experience in what the conditions are like.
Sitting in the back of a tractor-trailer the temperature quickly rose. One reporter even needed medical attention when they were overcome by the heat.
While the reporters were able to get out, it is not the case for immigrants who often times spend hours trapped with no way out.
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It is why Doyle has this message.
"To the families of the folks in Mexico, in South America and in Central America that are making their trek up here, do not put your families and your kids in the hands of these people," he said.
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*Editor’s note: This story was initially published in June 2016. It was republished after dozens of people were found inside a tractor trailer, many were clinging to life and at least 10 people died.