Immigrant search at Mission nature park (KGBT-TX)

Immigrant search at Mission nature park

By Sergio Chapa
Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 3:22 p.m.

Morning joggers and bicyclists got a surprise at the Mission Hike & Bike Trail early Sunday morning.

Authorities spent early Sunday morning searching for a group of illegal immigrants was spotted crossing through the area.

Border Patrol units and the Customs and Border Protection helicopter were on the popular trail and park looking for the immigrants.

The helicopter left the park around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

The 5.5-mile Mission Hike & Bike Trail connect Conway Avenue to Rio Bentsen State Park.

The trail has thick brush and ponds that attract birds and other wildlife but also provides cover for illegal immigrants entering the United States from Mexico.

Border Patrol agents began their search as early as 6 a.m. Sunday.

Dozens of joggers and bicyclers arrived at the trail later that morning and continued to passed through the scene.