Headed up over the US/Mexico border with @CBP elite group of air agents who assist in apprehensions from the sky - so far this year air/marine agents have apprehended 13k undocumented immigrants @MSNBC @NBCLatino 
One of dozens of helicopters used by @CBP to patrol the Rio Grande sector - the most heavily trafficked area for illegal immigrants (second most heavily trafficked area for drugs) #immigration @MSNBC @NBCLatino
Pilot says scouts from drug cartels and smugglers sit in this parking lot overlooking the air strip to inform his counterparts when @CBP aircraft is taking off and monitoring the area
1minute into the ride and @CBP agents need assistance finding a group of migrants who have run into the brush
Taking a closer look the air agents try to break up the brush with the helicopter to see if anyone is hiding inside
More @CBP agents arriving to assist
Rafts discarded on the side of the river show signs people have crossed here
Group of families with children spotted - about 20-30ppl
This river winds through Texas making it difficult to patrol by car and boat so helicopters (like this one) patrol sections of this area 24hrs a day - responding to calls, sensors and cameras set up all along the border @NBCLatino @NBCNews
Agents patrolling on foot while we hover above. It’s almost 100 degrees out here, conditions r brutal. I can’t imagine the fear these immigrants must be going through (esp w/ kids) hiding in the brush as they are being pursued by helicopter, patrol agents and by boat @NBCLatino
