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Traffic Improvements at Los Tomates Port of Entry

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Traffic Improvements at Los Tomates Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), Cameron County, TX, and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) announced a formal partnership on a large-scale infrastructure improvement project at the Los Tomates Land Port of Entry (LPOE), better known as the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville. USCBP Image
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), Cameron County, TX, and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) announced a formal partnership on a large-scale infrastructure improvement project at the Los Tomates Land Port of Entry (LPOE), better known as the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville. USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), Cameron County, TX, and the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority (CCRMA) announced a formal partnership on a large-scale infrastructure improvement project at the Los Tomates Land Port of Entry (LPOE), better known as the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas.

Under CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, CBP, GSA, Cameron County, and CCRMA will construct four additional personally owned vehicle primary lanes, eight additional secondary inspection bay spaces, and a new head house. The donors will outfit the lanes with the necessary infrastructure and technology. In addition, the existing bus secondary inspection area will be relocated to help achieve faster traffic flow and safer movement through secondary inspection.

“This Donation Acceptance Agreement is another great example of CBP and its federal and local partners working together to enhance America’s economic competitiveness,” said Pete Flores, Executive Assistant Commissioner of the CBP Office of Field Operations. “The addition of four personally owned vehicle lanes, eight additional secondary inspection bays, and other infrastructure improvements at Veterans International Bridge will benefit the economy of the local communities by enhancing the flow of legitimate trade and travel into the United States.”

Cameron County and CCRMA submitted a formal proposal under the Donations Acceptance Program in November of 2016. Recent highway improvements in Matamoros, Mexico connected additional traffic to the LPOE. Cameron County and Mexican officials doubled the number of traffic lanes on both sides of the Veterans International Bridge to address the increased traffic. On an average day in fiscal year 2021, CBP personnel at Veterans International Bridge processed an average of 3,035 vehicles per day, including 655 trucks. This Donations Acceptance Program project will decrease wait times while increasing throughput. The Donations Acceptance Agreement formalizes a project that has been years in the making and allows the parties to move forward with constructing new lanes and related infrastructure.

“When we engage in public private partnerships, the value of the services GSA provides to our customer agencies like CBP increases exponentially,” said Christopher Anzaldua, GSA’s Donations Program Manager in the Greater Southwest Region. “Basically, it’s a win-win scenario that improves operations and timeliness for CBP and provides a path to economic recovery for the local business economy.”

The Veterans International Bridge provides consumers direct access to business and retail establishments on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Infrastructure improvements at the Veterans International Bridge will further benefit the surrounding communities economically.

“In 2016 this multi-jurisdictional proposal of border trade connectivity and infrastructure enhancement was submitted and we are now pleased to announce the large-scale improvements at the Veterans International Bridge, also known as Los Tomates Bridge or the Puente Internacional Ignacio Zaragoza, which unites one of the largest metropolitan areas, the Brownsville and Matamoros US/Mexico border region / area. Thanks to the tremendous collaboration from GSA, CBP, and our CCRMA, vehicle commute time and border trade and crossings will be facilitated through our border thusly boosting our local economy,” stated Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr.

Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 301a, and more generally, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. §§ 112 et seq., as amended, CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. Accepted donations may be used for port of entry construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities. Public-private partnerships are a key component of CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy and allow CBP to provide new or expanded services and infrastructure at domestic ports of entry. 

Over 30 Human Smuggling Attempts Stopped 

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Over 30 Human Smuggling Attempts Stopped 
El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents in partnership with law-enforcement agencies across the region disrupted numerous human smuggling attempts this week. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents in partnership with law-enforcement agencies across the region disrupted numerous human smuggling attempts this week. USCBP Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents in partnership with law-enforcement agencies across the region disrupted numerous human smuggling attempts this week.

One of the most significant events occurred on August 9, 2022, when Santa Teresa Border Patrol Agents were conducting surveillance operations on NM Highway 9 and observed a dark color SUV traveling westbound. This same vehicle was seen approximately 20 minutes later traveling eastbound, but now appeared to be weighed down. Santa Teresa Border Patrol Agents performed a vehicle stop and discovered 11 people crammed inside. The migrants were medically evaluated and processed accordingly. The United States Citizen driver was detained and will be facing charges of human smuggling.   

Later that same day, Border Patrol Agents from the same station, the El Paso Sector Integrated Targeting Team, Santa Teresa Anti-Smuggling Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety and El Paso Police Department disrupted a human smuggling scheme with 10 smuggled migrants.  

It all started when Border Patrol Agents observed a Maroon Toyota Prius traveling east near Airport Road in Santa Teresa, New Mexico that seemed overloaded with people coming from an area used for human smuggling. El Paso Police Department performed a vehicle stop near Desert Blvd in El Paso, Texas and discovered 10 migrants inside the small economy car.  Border Patrol Was notified and migrants from Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, and Honduras were taken to the Santa Teresa Station for processing. The driver, a U.S. citizen, will face State charges for the human smuggling scheme. 

On August 10, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Santa Teresa Station observed several individuals enter the trunk and the passenger seat of a small sedan on NM Highway 9. The agents performed a vehicle stop minutes after and encountered three migrants inside the trunk and another six crammed inside the back seat. The migrants, all from Mexico including an unaccompanied16-year-old minor, were medically evaluated, and processed accordingly. The driver, a citizen from Mexico, was detained on scene. 

On August 12, the El Paso Sector ITT, Santa Teresa ASU, and Texas Department of Public Safety disrupted a human smuggling scheme resulting in the discovery of eight migrants crammed inside a black sedan. Agents performed the vehicle stop near Upper Valley Drive and Artcraft Road, discovering the migrants attempting to conceal themselves. The migrants, all from Mexico, were processed and expelled under Title 42, while the driver, a United States citizen will face State charges for smuggling scheme.

El Paso Sector Border Patrol has federally prosecuted 526 cases during the current Fiscal Year 2022.

“Transnational Criminal Organizations continue to recklessly endanger the lives of the human beings they smuggle, inside vehicles, for their own financial gain with no regard for human life.” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Human smuggling in the United States is a federal crime. The El Paso Sector works diligently with our U.S. Attorney partners in the West Texas District and the State of New Mexico to prosecute smugglers that endanger these human lives.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509.

Alonzo Cantú Selected to a Statewide Plan to Provide Affordable, High-Speed Internet to Texans

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Alonzo Cantú Selected to a Statewide Plan to Provide Affordable, High-Speed Internet to Texans
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Alonzo Cantú of McAllen, Juan Sánchez, President, the University of Houston-Downtown, and Tilman Fertitta, Chair, Board of Regents, University of Houston System. This image of the three Texas leaders features Cantú being sworn in as a member of the University of Houston System Board of Regents soon after his appointment in November 2019 by Gov. Greg Abbott. Photograph Courtesy UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Alonzo Cantú of McAllen, Juan Sánchez, President, the University of Houston-Downtown, and Tilman Fertitta, Chair, Board of Regents, University of Houston System. This image of the three Texas leaders features Cantú being sworn in as a member of the University of Houston System Board of Regents soon after his appointment in November 2019 by Gov. Greg Abbott. Photograph Courtesy UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM

Texas Border Business

By DAVID A. DÍAZ

Broadband — an Internet connection with sufficient speed to deliver online experiences including full-motion video without significant lag time — is increasingly seen as a requirement for modern life. Yet census data indicate that nearly 20 percent of Texas households don’t have it — and until they do, they’ll continue to be shut out of the modern economy. 

As a result, during the regular session in 2021 of the Texas Legislature, state lawmakers approved – and Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law – House Bill 5, legislation which was directly shaped by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo/Starr County.

Legislation is a proposed or enacted law or group of laws.

House Bill 5 – which was supported by the entire Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation – is a groundbreaking plan to provide affordable, high-speed broadband to “almost 2.8 million Texas households, including seven million people, lack broadband access,” according to Fiscal Notes. 

Fiscal Notes, a publication of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, features articles and analyses devoted to a wide variety of topics of Texas interest and general government concern.

“Twenty-three percent of Texans have limited ability to attend virtual classes, see a health care provider from their living room, fill out a job application online, start a business or access online marketplaces from their kitchen table. This problem disproportionately affects rural communities, communities of color and low-income families.”

Recently, another renowned Texas leader from the Rio Grande Valley – Alonzo Cantú of McAllen – will help guide House Bill 5 into reality by providing his expertise to guide the Texas Broadband Development Office as a member of its Board of Advisors.

The Texas Broadband Development Office was created by the 87th Legislature in 2021 and is situated within the Office of the Comptroller. The Board of Advisors provides guidance to the Broadband Development Office regarding the expansion, adoption, affordability and use of broadband service and programs administered by the office.

The Texas Broadband Development Office was established shortly afterward to award grants, low-interest loans and other financial incentives to expand access to broadband service across the state.  The Legislature appropriated $5 million to the Comptroller to administer the program. 

Additionally, the American Rescue Plan Act enacted by the federal government has allocated $500.5 million to Texas for broadband expansion, while the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will allocate at least $100 million, according to the Office of the Texas Comptroller.

The State Broadband Development Office will provide oversight of the $500.5 million that was appropriated during the Third Called Special Session to the Texas Legislature in 2021.

The State Broadband Development Office will also prepare a state broadband plan that establishes long-term goals for greater access to, affordability, and adoption of broadband service. This plan will help Texas draw down additional funding from the $42.5 billion that was appropriated in the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act means historic investment that will modernize our roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, airports, broadband, and drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This legislation does not raise taxes on everyday Americans, and it will create good-paying union jobs.

National Border Crisis

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National Border Crisis
Texas National Guard Combine Land, Maritime Assets To Quickly Interdict Illegal Immigrants. (PHOTO: Texas Military Department)
Texas National Guard Combine Land, Maritime Assets To Quickly Interdict Illegal Immigrants. (PHOTO: Texas Military Department)

Texas Border Business

AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to more than 292,700 migrant apprehensions and more than 18,400 criminal arrests, with more than 15,700 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 326 million lethal doses during this border mission.

Texas has also transported over 6,800 migrants to our nation’s capital since April and over 360 migrants to New York City since last Friday. The busing mission is providing much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border communities.

Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open border policies.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:

WATCH: Governor Abbott Says Busing Mission Won’t Stop Until Biden Secures Border

Governor Abbott joined Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus to discuss New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ hypocritical response to the arrival of Texas busing migrants to the sanctuary city. The Governor explained how Texans are increasingly fed up with President Biden’s open border policies, causing chaos along the border and allowing a flood of migrants and deadly drugs into communities across the state.

“Go ahead, Mayor, make my day,” Governor Abbott said. “New York is a sanctuary city. Mayor Adams said they welcome in illegal immigrants, but now that they have to deal with the reality of it they’re suddenly flummoxed and cannot handle it.”

GOVERNOR ABBOTT: NYC, D.C. Mayors Now See Our Border Crisis Is Real

In an op-ed for Fox News, Governor Abbott describes how President Biden’s reckless disregard for the nation’s immigration laws has suddenly caught the attention of the East Coast mayors of New York City and Washington, D.C. The concerns of the Democrat mayors are similar to their South Texas counterparts, who are on the frontlines and truly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the border crisis.

“As Mayors Adams and Bowser recently acknowledged, the border crisis demands immediate and decisive federal action,” Governor Abbott writes. “I ask that they call on President Biden to stop dismissing the crisis and honor his duty of preserving America’s national security.”

Read Governor Abbott’s op-ed.

WATCH: Governor Abbott Discusses Necessity Of Busing Migrants To NYC, D.C.

Governor Abbott discussed Texas’ busing strategy with Midland’s KMID and explained how the effort will continue as long as President Biden ignores the ongoing crisis along Texas’ southern border. With border communities overrun with increasing numbers of migrants, Texas will continue stepping up to provide relief for our local partners.

“The reason why we’re sending the migrants is very simple. Local communities were overwhelmed with the thousands upon thousands of illegal immigrants who have been dumped off in the communities by Border Patrol,” Governor Abbott said. “The people who are coming across the border just continues to increase.”

Texas National Guard Combine Land, Maritime Assets To Quickly Interdict Illegal Immigrants

In an ongoing effort to curb the rising crime rate along the Texas-Mexico border, Texas National Guard soldiers have begun combining land and maritime assets and tactics to quickly interdict illegal immigrants and transnational criminals. For the past several months, a variety of Operation Lone Star boats have patrolled the boundary water.

“We had a big dip in activity because the Tactical Response Unit (TRU) was patrolling the river,” Staff Sgt. Orlando Gonzalez said. “The boats were pushing traffic back to the Mexico side or to different sectors, and as soon as they left, our traffic picked up immediately.”

The first night without the presence of TRU teams on the water, Alpha Company, 3-141 Battalion, which patrols the river alongside the TRU, apprehended more than 200 illegal immigrants, who were handed over to U.S. Border Patrol. Alpha Company apprehended eight more illegal immigrants that same night crossing the river in the absence of the boats. One of the men detained was a scout for a complex network of criminals who smuggle illegal immigrants and illicit controlled substances into the country.

WATCH: DPS Troopers Engage In High-Speed Pursuit Of Human Smuggler In Webb County

DPS troopers were led on a high-speed pursuit of an SUV transporting six illegal immigrants in Webb County. During the pursuit, the illegal immigrants bailed out while the vehicle continued traveling south. DPS used spike strips to stop the vehicle, and afterward the driver collided with a pickup truck. The driver, who was unharmed, was apprehended and charged with human smuggling, evading with a vehicle, and reckless driving. The six illegal immigrants were referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

WATCH: Texas National Guard Soldiers Recount Marijuana Smuggling Attempt At Border

Texas National Guard soldiers describe how one recent Saturday night was especially busy with multiple attempts to illegally cross the Texas-Mexico border and smuggle drugs into the U.S. The team apprehended roughly a dozen illegal immigrants before being called to prevent more attempted crossings, one of which was a marijuana smuggling attempt.

“I feel good about it because it keeps these drugs off the street,” one soldier said.

DPS Agents Discover Laredo House Hiding More Than A Dozen Illegal Immigrants

(PHOTO: Texas Department of Public Safety)

DPS troopers attempted to stop an SUV for a traffic violation but were led on a pursuit that ended when the driver fled the vehicle on foot. The driver was apprehended by a Highway Patrol trooper and DPS Special Agent. During the pursuit, about a dozen individuals bailed out of the vehicle.

In an interview with Criminal Investigation Division agents, the driver said he had agreed to transport them north of Laredo in exchange for money. He also provided the location of a home where additional illegal immigrants were housed. Eleven males and three females were found there.

One Day in History • Victor Hugo Espinoza

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One Day in History • Victor Hugo Espinoza
LEFT: Victor Espinoza Victor Espinoza. Image in the Public Domain. RIGHT: President Obama is shown posthumously giving the Congressional Medal of Honor to Victor Espinoza. His son, Tyronne, accepted the award on his behalf. Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense. By E.J. Hersom, image in the Public Domain.
LEFT: Victor Espinoza Victor Espinoza. Image in the Public Domain. RIGHT: President Obama is shown posthumously giving the Congressional Medal of Honor to Victor Espinoza. His son, Tyronne, accepted the award on his behalf. Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense. By E.J. Hersom, image in the Public Domain.

Texas Border Business

VICTOR HUGO ESPINOZA (1928–1986). Victor Hugo Espinoza, Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, son of Amado Espinoza and Altagracia Chavez, was born in El Paso, Texas, on July 25, 1928. After the death of his mother in 1938, Espinoza moved to Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from Lincoln High School and became a municipal employee. He also spent time living with his godmother in El Paso. Espinoza joined the United States Army in November 1950 and was deployed to Korea with the rank of corporal. He served with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-third Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division, as part of the larger United Nations peace-keeping force.

Photograph, grave of Victor Espinoza at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

On August 1, 1952, Corporal Espinoza and his unit were tasked with capturing an enemy hill nicknamed “Old Baldy” near Chorwon, Korea, when they came under heavy fire. After his squad leader was wounded, Espinoza made a one-man assault across open ground. Armed with only a rifle and grenades, he destroyed a machine gun nest, a mortar emplacement, and two enemy bunkers. His ammunition exhausted, Espinoza continued his assault using grenades left behind by the fleeing Chinese troops to clear several enemy trenches. He then discovered a covert enemy tunnel and destroyed it with TNT. In total, Espinoza was credited with killing fourteen enemy soldiers, wounding another eleven, and clearing the way for the rest of his unit to secure the remaining enemy strongpoints on “Old Baldy.” For his service, Espinoza received a National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal with one bronze star, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a UN Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. He also received the second highest American combat medal, the Distinguished Service Cross, at a parade held on Noel Field at Fort Bliss in April 1953.

Espinoza reached the rank of master sergeant before leaving the military in September 1952. He returned to El Paso, Texas, where he found employment at a car dealership and was briefly married to Helen G. García of El Paso. Espinoza later relocated to San Gabriel, Texas, and married Nancy Alm. The couple had one son, Tyronne. Espinoza ultimately returned to El Paso, where he lived until his death on April 17, 1986. Espinoza was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors.

In 2002 the United States Congress called on the Department of Defense to review the service records of certain Jewish and Hispanic soldiers who may have been denied the Medal of Honor due to racial prejudice. As a result, on May 18, 2014, Victor Espinoza was posthumously given the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at a ceremony held in the East Room of the White House. Several of Espinoza’s family members, including his son Tyronne, were present to accept the award on his behalf.

Biography by Rolando Duarte, Handbook of Texas Online

Published by the Texas State Historical Association

Judge Cortez Signs Drought Disaster Declaration

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Judge Cortez Signs Drought Disaster Declaration
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, in his capacity as emergency management director, signed a declaration of a local state of disaster on Thursday because of the ongoing drought. Image for illustration purposes
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, in his capacity as emergency management director, signed a declaration of a local state of disaster on Thursday because of the ongoing drought. Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

Judge Cortez
Courtesy Image

EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, in his capacity as emergency management director, signed a declaration of a local state of disaster on Thursday because of the ongoing drought. 

The declaration says that Hidalgo County “has suffered exceptional drought conditions that pose a threat of imminent disaster.” 

The declaration is effective immediately but only remains in effect for seven days. At that point, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court must vote to extend the disaster declaration. 

“We are all aware of the dangerously dry conditions in Hidalgo County and this declaration acknowledges that everyone must pitch in to conserve one of our most precious resources: our water,” said Cortez. 

Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation on July 8, 2022, citing exceptional drought conditions throughout Texas. The Hidalgo County proclamation paves the way for local jurisdictions to be reimbursed by state and federal agencies for costs associated with the drought, such as the need to truck in water. 

While Hidalgo County has no statutory control of any of the area’s water, Cortez said the declaration also publicizes the critical need for Hidalgo County residents to conserve water. Already several local jurisdictions have issued water restrictions and residents are asked to check with their local jurisdictions to understand these restrictions.

View the Declaration Below:

CBP Officers Seize $113K Worth of Cocaine at Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge

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CBP Officers Seize $113K Worth of Cocaine at Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge
Packages containing nearly 15 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry. USCBP Image
Packages containing nearly 15 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry. USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at more than $113,220 hidden within a 2011 Chrysler.

“Our officers remain vigilant in keeping our borders secure and were able to stop these drugs from entering our country,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

The seizure took place on Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when a 22-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2011 Chrysler. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered six packages hidden within the vehicle.  CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 14.68 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the cocaine from the seizure is approximately $113,220.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicle, arrested the driver and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

Register to vote by October 11th

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Register to vote by October 11th
Texas Secretary of State John Scott today encouraged all eligible Texas voters to make sure they are registered to vote by October 11th to participate in the upcoming November 8 General Election. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Secretary of State John Scott today encouraged all eligible Texas voters to make sure they are registered to vote by October 11th to participate in the upcoming November 8 General Election. Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Secretary of State John Scott today encouraged all eligible Texas voters to make sure they are registered to vote by October 11th to participate in the upcoming November 8 General Election. Texas law requires eligible voters to be registered 30 days before Election Day, and since the 30th day before November 8th, 2022 falls on the Sunday before Columbus Day, eligible Texas voters effectively have two extra days to register this year (Texas Election Code Sec. 13.143(e)). Secretary Scott urged Texas voters to visit the state’s official voting web site – VoteTexas.gov – for accurate and comprehensive information on voting in Texas.

“Even though we’re still two months away from the voter registration deadline, it’s never too early to make sure you’re registered, update your registration information if you need to, and prepare yourself to vote in the upcoming election,” Secretary Scott said. 

“If you’re renewing your Texas Driver License or personal ID card online, please take the extra second to check the box to register to vote if you’re eligible to do so. If you’re registering to vote for the first time, make sure your signed voter registration application is postmarked to your county voter registrar by October 11th. If you simply need to update your voter registration information – such as your name, address or ID numbers – you can do so online through our portal available at Texas.gov.“

“Don’t let the deadline sneak up on you – get registered and start preparing for the upcoming election today by visiting VoteTexas.gov!”

Eligibility for Voter Registration in Texas

You are eligible to register to vote in Texas if:

  • You are a United States citizen;
  • You are a resident of the county where you submit the application;
  • You are at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day.
  • You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and
  • You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

Registering to Vote for the First Time

If you are a first-time Texas voter, make sure to complete your voter registration application and make sure it is postmarked to your county’s voter registrar by Tuesday, October 11th. To obtain and complete your application, you have several different options:

Register to Vote When Renewing Your Driver License

If you’re not already registered to vote but have an existing Texas Driver License or Texas Personal ID Card, you can register to vote online when renewing, replacing or changing your contact information for either of these cards through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Follow the steps on the DPS web portal to update your driver license information, and you will be given the option to register to vote when renewing or updating your information.

You can also register to vote while obtaining your Texas Driver License or Texas Personal ID card in person from DPS.

Update Your Voter Registration Information Online

Whether you’ve recently moved or changed your name, you can now update all your information on your voter registration record through the Texas Secretary of State’s portal on Texas.gov.

You can also use the same portal to update your voter registration file with your Texas Driver License number, Personal ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number to ensure the information is on file with your county voter registrar.

For more information on registering to vote and voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov or www.votetexas.gov/es for voting information in Spanish.

RGV Agents Rescue Injured and Lost Migrants

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<strong>RGV Agents Rescue Injured and Lost Migrants</strong>
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents locate nine lost migrants, including one suffering from a leg injury.  USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents locate nine lost migrants, including one suffering from a leg injury.  USCBP Image for illustration purposes

Texas Border Business

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents locate nine lost migrants, including one suffering from a leg injury.  

On August 9, McAllen Border Patrol Station (MCS) agents responded to a call for assistance from a subject who advised she was lost and suffering from a leg injury. MCS riverine units and U.S. Coast Guard responded to the area and were able to locate the injured migrant along with four additional subjects from Nicaragua. The injured female was evaluated by an Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) agent and transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.     

Kingsville Border Patrol Station agents responded to a 911 emergency call from lost subjects on a ranch near Sarita, Texas on August 8. Agents conducted a search and located two migrants from Honduras and El Salvador. A National Guard helicopter assisted the agents in locating a third lost subject from Mexico. All migrants were found in good health and transported to the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint.

On August 10, Harlingen agents responded and located a Honduran national after he placed a 911 emergency call near Raymondville, Texas.

Later that evening, Rio Grande City Station agents requested emergency medical services for a juvenile subject suffering from seizures near Roma. EMS transported the Honduran migrant along with her mother to the hospital for medical evaluation. In addition, an MCS EMT agent evaluated a Salvadoran migrant with a possible broken ankle after she was apprehended near Hidalgo, Texas. The subject was transported to a medical facility for further treatment and evaluation.

All subjects were processed accordingly.

With the extreme heat south Texas is experiencing, individuals lost or left behind in desolate areas are at risk of serious injury, dehydration, heat stroke, and death. RGV urges migrants not to place their lives at risk attempting to cross illegally.

El Paso Stash House Busts Rescue More Migrants 

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<strong>El Paso Stash House Busts Rescue More Migrants </strong>
El Paso Sector U.S. Border Patrol Agents discovered more stash houses this week.  USCBP Image
El Paso Sector U.S. Border Patrol Agents discovered more stash houses this week.  USCBP Image

Texas Border Business

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Sector U.S. Border Patrol Agents discovered more stash houses this week.  

On August 8, the Border Patrol Ysleta Station Anti-Smuggling Unit along with their counterparts at the Clint Station ASU, discovered a human smuggling stash house near North Loop Dr. and North Carolina Dr. Working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, agents encountered 11 migrants, five from Guatemala, four from Mexico, two from El Salvador. An additional individual, from Mexico, was apprehended in this event and will be facing prosecution for harboring migrants under 8 USC 1324. An AR-15 rifle and a small amount of marijuana was found, as well, within the stash house.  

On August 9, BP Agents assigned to the Clint Station ASU developed information stemming from the prior stash house event on Aug 8. This information led to a possible human smuggling stash house near Sean Haggarty Dr. and McCombs St. 

When agents arrived at the trash-filled property, they discovered 25 adult migrants and 2 unaccompanied children. The migrants are from Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala. All migrants from both events were medically screened and evaluated. Those migrants amenable to Title 42 were expelled back to Mexico. Those not amenable to Title 42 expulsion were transported to the Central Processing Center to be processed under Title 8.  

“The high number of stash houses discovered to date in our El Paso and New Mexico region is alarming,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Our Border Patrol Agents from the El Paso Sector and our partners like Homeland Security Investigations will continue to rescue migrants from the merciless tactics of these Transnational Criminal Organizations.”   

These stash houses, along with one discovered on August 5, add to the more than 193 stash houses discovered during Fiscal Year 2022. The disruption of stash houses has led to the rescue or interception of more than 2,126 migrants this Fiscal Year.  

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-2509. 

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