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Slideshow: One Day on the Border

Multiple inflatable rafts on the water. Emotionally shaken kids in the back of Border Patrol vans. Dope dumped on the river’s edge. The Texas Tribune witnessed all that and more during a visit with the U.S. Border Patrol.

By Martin Do Nascimento

April 21, 20166 AM Central

Border Patrol Agent José Perales examines tracks on an unpaved gravel road while looking for unaccompanied child migrants and families crossing from Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Mexico, to Roma, Texas. Unlike undocumented adult migrants, unaccompanied children and families ordinarily turn themselves in to U.S. law enforcement. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agent Jose Ramirez makes his way through harsh terrain to observe illegal crossings along the Rio Grande near Roma, Texas. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agent Isaac Villegas makes his way through the thick growth of reeds known as "carrizo" lining the Rio Grande riverbank while searching for a group of five undocumented immigrants reported to have crossed the river in a raft. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agent Isaac Villegas steps over the discarded clothes of undocumented immigrants lining a footpath away from the Rio Grande riverbank in Roma, Texas. According to Border Patrol agents, undocumented immigrants crossing into South Texas from Mexico commonly change into a spare set of clothes after they cross the river to stand out less once inside the United States. — Border Patrol Agent Isaac Villegas steps over the discarded clothes of undocumented immigrants lining a footpath away from the Rio Grande riverbank in Roma, Texas. According to Border Patrol agents, undocumented immigrants crossing into South Texas from Mexico commonly change into a spare set of clothes after they cross the river to stand out less once inside the United States. Credit: Martin do Nascimento

While looking for unaccompanied child migrants and families crossing the river, Border Patrol Agent José Perales encountered this set of footprints and tire tracks. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Unaccompanied Honduran migrants turn themselves in to Border Patrol agents near Roma, Texas. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Daniela, a 17-year-old unaccompanied migrant from El Salvador, voluntarily turned herself in to Border Patrol agents near Roma, Texas. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agents José Perales and Isaac Villegas peer out along the Rio Grande riverbank while searching for a group of five people reported to have crossed the river in a raft from Ciudad Miguel Alemán. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

After chasing away smugglers who were using rafts to bring drugs across the river, Border Patrol and Texas DPS agents inspect several large packages of marijuana abandoned near the Rio Grande shoreline. The packages were later found to weigh 313 pounds, making them worth an estimated $240,000 on the street. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agent P.J. Diaz loads a seized package of marijuana into his service vehicle. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

Border Patrol Agent Isaac Villegas looks out at the Rio Grande outside of Roma, Texas. — Credit: Martin do Nascimento

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