On March 25th, a special agent from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully rescued a 1-year-old toddler in a sudden medical emergency at New York’s JFK International Airport.
The Department of Homeland Security of the United States issued a press release on the 25th, stating that surveillance footage showed the toddler being held by his father in line at the TSA PreCheck security checkpoint. Suddenly, the child lost consciousness, his arms went limp, and he stopped breathing for nearly two minutes. Chaos ensued as the father panicked and called for help.
Upon hearing the cries for help, the ICE agent on duty immediately rushed to the scene. The father handed over the child to the agent, who promptly conducted a preliminary assessment of the toddler and performed the Heimlich maneuver (a first aid technique used to clear the airway blockage) without delay. Within seconds, the child regained consciousness, and the emergency situation was resolved in a timely manner.
Emergency medical personnel who arrived thereafter further examined and observed the child, confirming his stable condition, allowing him to continue with his flight.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised the agent’s swift response, stating that the agent “saved the child’s life” and warned of the potential consequences had intervention not occurred in time.
Mullin also remarked, “Despite being continuously vilified and attacked by some politicians and media in sanctuary cities, our immigration enforcement agents remain steadfast in their duty every day, dedicated to protecting national security and the lives of American citizens.”
It is noteworthy that this is the second child rescued by immigration enforcement officers in recent weeks.
On February 20th, several off-duty ICE enforcement officers dining at a restaurant in Plymouth, Minnesota, responded to a woman’s plea for help, stating that a 4-year-old boy had lost consciousness after drowning in a hotel pool.
The ICE agents immediately administered several minutes of CPR to the boy. Local police and emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the boy to a medical center for further treatment. Thanks to the timely intervention, the boy successfully regained consciousness.