Assistance from the Public Leads to Four Arrests by Border Patrol in Maine
On the evening of January 4, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two Colombian men and two Vietnamese citizens for being in the United States illegally.
An area resident observed two hitchhikers near the international border with Canada and gave them a ride to the Fort Fairfield Police Station. The hitchhikers, a man (27) and a woman (24), did not speak English and appeared to have been walking in the snow. The Border Patrol was then notified and responded to assist.
"This situation could have resulted in serious injury or death of the two Vietnamese citizens had they not been located and brought out of the elements. Maine's border areas are very remote and can be exceedingly dangerous to cross, especially during the winter months." said Jason D. Owens, Chief Patrol Agent of the Border Patrol in Maine.
Responding Border Patrol agents spoke to the hitchhikers and identified them as Vietnamese citizens who had entered the United States illegally from Canada. Both subjects were cold and wet after walking through snow-covered terrain before finding a road. Border Patrol agents then attempted to identify the location of the illegal border crossing.