It’s a well-known issue along the U.S.- Mexico border...undocumented immigrants crossing every day.
But it is extremely rare that they admit to it in front of a television camera.
That's exactly what our Joey Horta caught today... in this exclusive look at what a person goes through to get across the river.
It's our top story
Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande on airboats... looking for anyone trying to cross the river illegally.
And although the number of people sneaking over the border in the Laredo area... has gone down by 23 percent since this time last year... not everyone can be caught.
A Nuevo Laredo man who asks to be simply called... 'Omar'... explains how he weighed the risks and made across.
"Its not easy there's shallow parts. There’s some that’s too deep."
He says its worth it to find a job in San Antonio... and tells us how he made it across and blended in.
"I walked across. I had a plastic bag with clothes because the others were wet."
"BP agents say they understand why people who are coming from across the river, like these, are willing to risk their lives and give up everything to get to this side of the river."
Jess Macarthur just graduated the top of his class from the border patrol academy.
"There's a lot of corruption and problems in some of these poorer countries and people want a better way of life."
Even though they're still crossing... Laredo sector chief Carlos Carrillo says the numbers are down... because of the increased efforts by the agency to crack down on illegals and their fear of being mistreated by smugglers.
"For someone who is coming just coming like you say to look for a job, an economic migrant as they're called, often times they should especially consider the consequences, the risks."
Still 'Omar' tells its a gamble he's willing to take.
"Well if its my turn its my turn."
At the Rio Grande... Joey Horta... Pro 8 News.