Rail workers in Texas discovered six deceased individuals inside a boxcar at a rail yard near the Mexican border on Sunday afternoon, according to officials. The grim finding was made by a Union Pacific employee inspecting a stopped train at the yard in Laredo before it continued its journey north, a spokesperson for the Laredo police department said, citing the railroad freight company.
Details of the Discovery
Authorities are working to determine the cause of death for the six individuals, who were found at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time on a day when temperatures exceeded 90°F (32°C). No survivors were located in the boxcar, the spokesperson confirmed. Jose Espinoza, the department’s public information officer, described the event as “very unfortunate” and noted that too many lives were lost. He added that the ages and immigration status of the deceased remain unknown, and the investigation is in its preliminary stages.
Response from Authorities
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) acknowledged awareness of the incident and directed inquiries to the Laredo police department and Texas Rangers. Union Pacific, one of the largest rail operators in the United States, stated it is cooperating with authorities. Daryl Bjoraas, a company spokesperson, expressed sadness over the incident and emphasized collaboration with law enforcement in the investigation.
Context and Previous Incidents
This discovery echoes a 2024 event where 20 migrants locked inside a train compartment in Laredo were rescued in a dehydrated state by CBP officers. According to the Laredo Morning Times, Laredo is the busiest port for international trade in the country, with an average of 12 trains entering daily from Mexico, carrying nearly 1,500 loaded containers. Union Pacific operates many of these trains.
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration at the Texas-Mexico border, but claims of zero crossings have been disputed. Axios reported that CBP’s own figures indicate 8,000 apprehensions in March, a 15% increase from 2025. Additionally, plans are reportedly advancing to close a controversial border immigration jail at Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, about 600 miles from Laredo. At least three detainees have died in ICE custody there, and a measles outbreak struck the facility in March.
Historical Tragedy
In 2022, 53 migrants, including six children from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, suffocated inside a locked tractor-trailer without air conditioning or water after being packed in Laredo for a journey to Fort Worth, Texas. Two men who abandoned them, Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Garcia, received life sentences last year, while five others face smuggling charges.
