Migrants risk death crossing treacherous Rio Grande river for ‘American dream’

Clothes are seen on the ground of the shore of the Rio Grande river between the US and Mexico after nine migrants died and others were rescued as they tried to cross the river into the US near Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., in Piedras Negras, Mexico, on Saturday. Photograph: Reuters

Two small inflatable floats with printed aquatic animals in bright colors lay by the river under the Eagle Pass port of entry in Texas on Saturday, a day after nine migrants died while swimming the Rio Grande.

A parent had placed their child in the floats and jumped in a river that looked deceptively calm. National guardsmen tasked with watching that section of Eagle Pass saw it for what it was: a treacherous, deep body of water with whirlpools between pillars holding up the international bridge.