Today, the Supreme Court upheld our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms by striking down a New York law that effectively prohibited a citizen from carrying a handgun outside the home. Image for illustration purposes
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on The Constitution of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruencase:
“Today, the Supreme Court upheld our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms by striking down a New York law that effectively prohibited a citizen from carrying a handgun outside the home. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that New York’s law was unconstitutional because it unquestionably infringed on our Second Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights. I was proud to lead an amicus brief on behalf of 24 of my Senate colleagues making these exact arguments. This case’s vindication of the right to carry a firearm for self-defense outside the home is an ever-present reminder of our duty as citizens to defend our constitutional rights from brazen attacks from the left.”
The Laredo City Council recognized various accomplished employees on Tuesday, June 21, for their recent achievements. Image Courtesy of the City of Laredo
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LAREDO, Texas – The Laredo City Council recognized various accomplished employees on Tuesday, June 21, for their recent achievements. The Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau has been recognized nationally for its tourism marketing campaign. Additionally, three members of CVB were presented by their Director, Aileen Ramos. During this meeting as well, a couple of outstanding employees were named City’s Employees of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2022. Tuesday’s recipients were the following:
Convention & Visitors Bureau
City Council Joel Vazquez, CVB Assistant Director, and Selina Villarreal, CVB Marketing Manager for earning their Certified Tourism Executive (CTE) designation from the Travel and Tourism College offered by the Texas Travel Alliance. Travel & Tourism College (TTC) provides participants with an intensive professional education full of marketing, leadership, and management courses taught by college professors and seasoned travel and tourism professionals from around the country. Mr. Vazquez has been with the City of Laredo for 19 years under the same department, learning as a United South High School intern to promote the city, and growing into this career. Ms. Villarreal has been with the City for 14 years, starting as an Administrative Assistant. She enjoys promoting her hometown and to be able to bring in visitors, knowing that they have a great experience while in our city.
Image courtesy of the City of Laredo
A recognition was presented to Ana Reyna Arzate, CVB Marketing Coordinator for being selected as one of nine of the 2022 Emerging Tourism Stars by the eTourism Summit from 140 candidates. A result of her contributions to the team and commitment to our organization, community, and the tourism industry. As part of this recognition, Ms. Arzate participated as a speaker in a panel during the 2022 eTourism Summit in Florida. During this event, she participated along with people from Puerto Rico, Long Island, North Carolina, and other panelists. She has been a City of Laredo employee for 6 years.
Image courtesy of the City of Laredo
Visit Laredo was honored during the eTourism Summit as a winner of the 5th Annual Excellence “eTSY” Awards, receiving recognition in the category of “Innovation in Influencer Marketing” for its campaign “Welcome Back to Laredo” deployed in November 2021, when the border restrictions were lifted for incoming travelers.
Employees of the Quarter
A special recognition was awarded to Rolando San Miguel, Jr., a Plant Operator II with the Utilities Department. Mr. San Miguel was introduced by his director, Mr. Arturo Garcia, Jr.; an employee since August of 2009, he helps oversees the water plant’s operations at El Pico. Mr. San Miguel’s dedication and character meet the demands and challenges being faced with great fortitude. He is seen by his peers as a man dedicated to his family, his job, and his staff, being a great example for all to follow.
Image courtesy of the City of Laredo
Lastly, the City of Laredo presented the second Employee of the Quarter Award to Mr. Edgar Orozco, Zoning Enforcement Supervisor. Introduced by Mr. John Hickle, Director of the Building Development Services Department, Mr. Orozco is an employee who represents exactly the profile of a City employee. Being employed with the City for more than 9 years, he is dedicated to his staff and has excellent interaction with all the citizens he comes in contact with while handling a diverse range of events that occur on a daily basis.
“The Biden Administration is attempting to force every state and local entity to adopt its sexual orientation and gender identity agenda—or suffer massive financial consequences,” said Attorney General Paxton. Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a Tennessee-led multistate letter to President Biden urging him to withdraw new guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding “sex discrimination” for schools and programs that receive federal nutritional assistance. This new guidance relies on an unsupportable expansion of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, 140 S. Ct. 1731 (2020), which interpreted the statutory definition of “sex” in Title VII to include sexual orientation and gender identity. If followed, the guidance would wrongly extend Bostock into the Title IX context—which extension the Supreme Court expressly disclaimed—and impose new and unlawful regulations on state agencies and operators receiving financial assistance through USDA.
Select the link below to see the letter
“The Biden Administration is attempting to force every state and local entity to adopt its sexual orientation and gender identity agenda—or suffer massive financial consequences,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Bostock was wrong from the start, and any unlawful expansion of it into new areas is doubly wrong. I won’t let Biden’s Department of Agriculture bully Texas into adopting its radical agenda or use kids and school lunch programs as his pawns.”
Hidalgo County is leading efforts to prevent flooding throughout the County by making transformational improvements to its stormwater management systems. Image for illustration purposes
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Hidalgo County — Hidalgo County is leading efforts to prevent flooding throughout the County by making transformational improvements to its stormwater management systems.
The County’s initiative to address long-standing flooding concerns is being funded by the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, which was administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to build a strong, resilient and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The federal program emphasizes the opportunity it provides to address ever-present socioeconomic disparities that may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first project is set to begin Monday in Precinct 4. A new pipe network and drain inlets will be installed to Terry Road’s stormwater system. Additionally, the system’s main outfall drain, North Main Drain, will be reconstructed and widened. The project is estimated to be completed by December 2022.
Forthcoming projects will officially begin in all precincts within the coming months. Improvements to County stormwater management systems include the addition of pipe networks and culverts, drain inlets, swale and roadside grading, repairs and ditch widening.
The overall goal of the County’s stormwater management system improvement projects is to create long-lasting, generational change by reducing the possibility of flooding during rainy seasons.
For more information regarding the County’s efforts to prevent flooding, visit hidalgocountyarpa.com.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) has partnered with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to offer the Deepen the Bench of Ready Leaders Masters in Educational Leadership Program this fall. Image for illustration purposes
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PHARR, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) has partnered with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to offer the Deepen the Bench of Ready Leaders Masters in Educational Leadership Program this fall.
The Deepen the Bench of Ready Leaders Masters in Educational Leadership Program is designed to develop culturally responsive educational leaders to serve a diverse student population, especially English language learners.
As part of these efforts, the PSJA ISD School Board recently approved to support 20 participating teachers by providing $1,000 for semester tuition with completion of a minimum grade of “B” in all classes and up to $800 for program required textbooks.
“We appreciate our school board for supporting continuing education opportunities for our teachers and staff,” said PSJA ISD Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “As well as our UTRGV partners for assisting us in reaching our vision of multi-generational prosperity for our community.”
Participants will earn 30 credit hours, complete a portfolio, and enroll in a minimum of two classes per semester over a period of six semesters beginning Fall 2022. Classes will be led by UTRGV professors at PSJA ISD facilities.
“Strong school leadership is vital for student learning,” said PSJA Assistant Superintendent for Human Capital Development Dr. Rebeca Garza. “School leaders create the environment and structure that impact teachers’ working conditions and ability to teach students successfully. We are grateful for this opportunity to continue to enhance our leadership support pipeline at PSJA ISD.”
Program admittance requirements:
· Interested participants must attend a program information session (Coming August 2022)
· Applicant must meet all university master program admission requirements
· Teaching with PSJA ISD a minimum of 4+ years
· Evaluation rating of proficient or better
· Commits to teaching with PSJA ISD a minimum of 3 years
· Teacher resigning from PSJA ISD before the 3 yr minimum agrees to payback pro-rated cost
· Letter of recommendation from current supervisor
· Agrees to complete the master’s program within the UTRGV program time frame
· Bilingual/ESL/Dual Language certified and/or first-generation generation college graduate
Further details for interested staff members will be shared at a later date.
The Laredo-Webb County Bar Association recently honored Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo – whose Senate District 21 includes all of Starr County – with the 2022 Liberty Bell Award at a luncheon in their hometown. Senator Image Source: Facebook. Image for illustration purposes
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By LAURA FÉLIX
The Laredo-Webb County Bar Association recently honored Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo – whose Senate District 21 includes all of Starr County – with the 2022 Liberty Bell Award at a luncheon in their hometown.
Bestowed upon the non-lawyer with the greatest impact on the law, the Liberty Bell honors persons or organizations who promote better understanding of the rule of law, encourage greater respect for law and the courts, stimulate a sense of civic responsibility or contribute to good government in the community.
“We often give an award to honor the recipient. Today the recipient honors the award,” Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht said. “The Liberty Bell Award’s prestige is enhanced in being given to Senator Judith Zaffirini.”
Witnessing cronyism and corruption in Laredo courts many years ago motivated Zaffirini to partner with local attorneys and judges to pass legislation requiring the rotation of appointments; the reporting of court-approved payments; and the definition of new standards of accountability, transparency and excellence.
“Rather than be discouraged, we responded to a negative local situation by developing solutions,” Zaffirini said. “Not only do these laws make a positive statewide impact, but they now comprise models for other states.”
Her additional judicial successes include eliminating unconstitutional debtors’ prisons by providing judges with alternatives to incarceration; simplifying court fees for criminal and civil cases and promoting equal access to the legal system; and establishing the Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Exploitation Deterrence Program.
In her acceptance speech she emphasized the importance of attorneys’ role in the legislative process.
“Lawyers are largely responsible for legislators’ best work,by drafting most of the bills we file; advising us whether to support, oppose or amend bills proposed by others; and helping us understand the impact of statutes we’ve created, hope to create or need to improve,” she said.
Zaffirini has received more than 1,100 awards in her career, including the State Bar of Texas Judicial Sections “Friend of the Judiciary” award.
She also is the first Mexican American woman elected as a Texas state senator.
The bipartisan gun bill that is on a fast track through Congress and backed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn includes new state grants to incentivize red flag laws, which allow judges to temporarily seize firearms from people who are deemed dangerous.
That means it’ll be up to states as to whether they want to take advantage of one of the key provisions of the landmark gun legislation. But despite last month’s Uvalde school shooting being the inspiration for the bill, Texas is unlikely to get on board.
Red flag laws likely remain a nonstarter among Republican leaders in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott already faced a conservative backlash after he asked the Legislature to consider them four years ago.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who oversees the Senate and wields tremendous sway over what legislation is considered, indicated Wednesday he still opposes such an effort.
“After the Santa Fe shooting, we had the same move to do this and we did not support it,” he said in a radio interview. “I did not support [that], the Senate did not support that.”
Patrick said that if he were in the U.S. Senate, he would have been among the 36 Republicans — including Texas’ junior senator Ted Cruz — who sided against the bipartisan gun bill in an initial vote Tuesday. Patrick added that he was “very, very concerned about that and where that goes.”
Abbott did not respond to a request for comment on the potential for red flag laws in Texas under the federal proposal. State House Speaker Dade Phelan declined to comment. Neither has publicly suggested red flag laws as a legislative solution in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, and the opposition of the Patrick-led Senate all but dooms the prospect.
Cornyn, the lead Republican negotiator on the legislation, has had to walk a political tightrope. He was loudly booed last week while addressing the Texas GOP convention, where delegates approved a resolution rebuking him over the bipartisan gun talks, citing the party’s opposition to red flag laws.
Cornyn previously told The Texas Tribune that the gunmen in Uvalde and at the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut both “have a pretty recognizable profile” and should not have had access to firearms.
The legislation, titled the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, is the most significant congressional action taken on gun control in decades. It includes $750 million that states can use to implement and maintain red flag programs. Generally, red flag laws allow the authorities to ask a court to take guns away from someone they believe is an imminent danger. In some cases, people beside the police — family members, for example, can petition a court.
But the funding could also be used for other crisis-intervention programs in states that do not currently have red flag laws or are unlikely to enact them anytime soon — like Texas.
Cornyn has emphasized that distinction while shepherding the bill.
“Some of our colleagues wanted to focus this money solely on the 19 states that passed some form of red flag law, and frankly, that’s the choice that’s up to the state,” Cornyn said Tuesday on the Senate floor. “But we are not introducing a national red flag law, but we are providing the availability of law enforcement-related grants to crisis intervention programs, whether you adopted a red flag program or not.”
Besides red flag laws, the funding can go toward mental health courts, drug courts, veterans courts and assisted outpatient treatment courts. Assisted outpatient treatment is community-based mental health treatment ordered by a court. Cornyn said on the Senate floor last week that assisted outpatient treatment is “one great example” of how states could use the funding rather than for red flag laws.
In addition to incentivizing red flag laws, the legislation also would do things like beef up background checks for people younger than 21 and clarify who needs to register as a federal firearms dealer. It also closes the “boyfriend loophole,” which refers to the fact that federal law bars firearm purchases for those convicted of domestic violence against someone they’re married to, but left out dating partners.
The National Rifle Association came out against the bill Tuesday, saying in part that it would “use federal dollars to fund gun control measures being adopted by state and local politicians.” At the state level, gun rights advocates remain on high alert about any red flag proposal.
“Anything that eliminates due process we will be fighting tooth and nail against,” said Andi Turner, legislative director of the Texas State Rifle Association.
The anti-Cornyn resolution that Texas GOP convention delegates passed was unequivocal about red flag laws. It said they “violate one’s right to due process and are a pre-crime punishment of people not adjudicated guilty.”
Far-right state Rep. Bryan Slaton was the most explicit in a statement Wednesday that accused Cornyn of being a Republican traitor. The Royse City legislator vowed to “ensure Texas never even considers taking [Cornyn’s] bribe to pass red flag laws or any other gun control policies.”
Abbott already got a taste of the sensitive politics around red flag laws following the 2018 Santa Fe school shooting, where 10 people were killed 13 others wounded. The governor then released a school safety plan that included a call for the Legislature to “consider the merits of adopting a red flag law.” But before long, the idea ran into stiff intraparty opposition and Abbott found himself on the defensive, arguing that he had not personally endorsed red flag laws by requesting that lawmakers explore them.
Patrick ultimately helped put the nail in the coffin, releasing a statement at the time in which he said he has “never supported these policies, nor has the majority of the Texas Senate.” A few days later, Abbott acknowledged there had been a “coalescence” against red flag laws and has since steered clear of them.
Red flag laws are nonetheless popular with Texas voters. A poll released Tuesdayfound that 75% of the state’s voters support laws that “give family members or law enforcement a way to ask a judge to issue an order temporarily removing guns from someone who poses a violent threat to themselves or others.” The survey was conducted by Third Way, a centrist think tank, and GS Strategy Group, a GOP polling firm.
“I think it would be, first of all, difficult for the state to not take advantage if this gun safety bill actually passes, and it looks like it’s going to, based on everything I’m seeing,” said state Rep. Lina Ortega, D-El Paso. “How can Texas refuse to actually take some of that money and use it, especially with all the gun violence that has taken place in our state?”
Ortega was among the El Paso lawmakers who had hoped the state would do more to combat gun violence after the 2019 massacre at a Walmart in the city. But they were greatly disappointed as the Legislature went in the opposition direction last year, passing laws that expanded gun rights like permitless carry of handguns.
“Now we’re talking about 19 innocent children that were massacred and two teachers,” Ortega said. “Maybe seeing what’s occurring on the federal level, there’s gonna be reconsideration on the state side as to the approach they need to take.”
Left to right, South Texas College President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis, District 4 Trustee Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar, Board Chair Rose Benavidez, Associate Professor of Manufacturing Technology Dr. Esmeralda Adame, Vice Chair Dr. Alejo Salinas and Trustee Rene Guajardo. Benavidez and Adame were honored as “Women of Distinction” by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy Image
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By Amanda Sotelo
McALLEN, Texas – In a momentous event hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, South Texas College Board of Trustee Chair Rose Benavidez and Associate Professor of Manufacturing Technology Esmeralda Adame, Ph.D., were honored as Women of Distinction for their work in education and their communities.
The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce promotes economic development & assists businesses with access to the Hispanic market through networking, promoting education and nurturing leadership and annually recognizes women who have excelled throughout their careers, while also being involved in community building.
Benavidez and Adame are part of the group of nine women recognized this year during a dinner hosted by the RGV Hispanic Chamber and represent the government and education sectors, respectively.
Both women agree that this honor confirms the work they do is having a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
“It’s acknowledgements like these that validate the work we do,” said Benavidez. “It’s an honor joining an elite group of women who have received and will receive this award.”
Since her election to the STC Board of Trustees in 2009, Benavidez, who is also the first female president of the Starr County Industrial Foundation, has been instrumental in the expansion of innovative programming including dual enrollment, early college high schools and industry-driven baccalaureate degrees that have created a cost-saving college-going culture in the region.
She has dedicated her professional career to developing the local economy and has improved access to education and creating job opportunities.
“My never-ending goal is to ensure that everyone who wants an education has access to it,” she said. “Education transforms lives, leads to gainful employment and wages that can support a family. Everyone deserves a chance, and I will never stop fighting for that.”
Benavidez is also an elected chair of the Executive Committee for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), where she has successfully participated in advocating for increased federal funds for higher education, alignment of skills training with meaningful wage employment and the promotion of student success across the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific Islands.
For her contributions and work, Benavidez has also been inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame and has received the “State of Texas Women of Distinction Award” from the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC).
Adame, a distinguished professor and alumna of STC, shares the same sentiment and said that it’s not only an honor being given this recognition, but it’s an honor that the recognition is for serving STC and its students, an ongoing commitment to education she started nearly 18 years ago.
“This distinction not only belongs to me; it’s an honor I share with colleagues who also serve and dedicate themselves to our students,” said Adame. “It’s been a privilege to touch so many hearts and hopefully serve as a role model for my students. This is my passion and it’s humbling being recognized for it.”
Adame added she understands the struggle of her students. She was only 8 years old when her mom brought her to the United States from Mexico knowing little to no English. She said like many of her students, she knows what it’s like not having a car, or having a car but not having money for gas and relying on friends to get her to school.
“I’ve been where many of these students are at, and I can relate closely to them,” she said. “STC jump-started my career and as a faculty member, I know I have the responsibility of being my students’ biggest mentor and I hope if they take away anything, it’s my ‘si se puede’ mentality.”
Adame has also received the STC 2019 Faculty of the Year Award and a recognition from the Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a female business owner.
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said it’s amazing to see STC faculty and his colleagues being recognized for their dedication not only to the college, but to their students and communities they serve.
“Everyone at STC works so hard to make the college successful and to ensure our students are successful,” he said. “Madam Chair Rose Benavidez and Dr. Adame deserve this recognition and I’m so happy for them. They represent us well and represent what our faculty and staff are all about. Congratulations to them, and to everyone who was honored with this distinction.”
The City of Laredo has appointed Doanh T. “Zone” Nguyen as the new City Attorney during Tuesday’s City Council Meeting. Courtesy Image
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LAREDO, Texas – The City of Laredo has appointed Doanh T. “Zone” Nguyen as the new City Attorney during Tuesday’s City Council Meeting. After Interim City Manager, Samuel Keith Selman, presented his recommendation, Members of the Council voted to support it and appointed Mr. Nguyen to the position. He will promptly be joining the City’s organization.
“We are very excited to bring on board such an experienced lawyer,” said Laredo’s Interim City Manager Keith Selman. “I saw the need for the City to have a permanent City Attorney and am thankful for the City Council’s affirmative action. Mr. Nguyen’s background will be of exceptional value to our organization.”
Mr. Nguyen has been employed previously with the City of Laredo as Assistant City Attorney in the Legal Department from 2012 to 2016. He also performed as Acting City Secretary for approximately 5 months before his resignation.
City Attorney Doanh “Zone” T. Nguyen
Doanh “Zone” T. Nguyen is a litigation and employment attorney with over 28 years of experience in the administrative, trial, and appellate levels of various types of cases including employment law, personal injury, business disputes, family law, bankruptcy, and wills & probate. His experience includes general counsel for military organizations.
Mr. Nguyen has been certified for Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2002. He is a Senior Certified Professional at the Society for Human Resources since 2014. AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®AV® Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0 Peer Review Rating (top 5% of attorneys ranked by legal ability and ethical standards), since 2007.
Some of his recognitions include:
Named to the list of “Texas Super Lawyers” for 2019, 2020, and 2021 by Texas Monthly Magazine as the only lawyer in Webb County.
Named to the list of “Texas Rising Stars” for 2007-2010 by Texas Monthly Magazine, as well.
Named to the list of “Texas Top Rated Lawyers” for 2014-2017 by Legal Leaders.
Named to the list of “America’s Most Honored Lawyers” for 2022 by the American Registry.
Among Mr. Nguyen’s litigation experience, he has been a first-chair trial before federal and state courts across Texas with amounts in controversy up to $12 million. He has argued before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Texas First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Regarding his educational background, in the year 1991, Mr. Nguyen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Houston. In 1993, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas, School of Law. By the year 2005, he received his Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston and he is expecting to achieve his Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Florida by August of the present year.
Mr. “Zone” Nguyen is a retired Major (Staff Judge Advocate) in the United States Army Reserve, a member of the Rotary Club of Laredo since 2006, a former instructor at Texas A&M International University, among many other interests.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Anzalduas International Bridge Board (AIBB) are pleased to announce the completion of a roadway expansion project at the Anzalduas Land Port of Entry (LPOE) that is designed to reduce wait times at the port. Image Source: google maps for illustration purposes
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McAllen, Texas – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Anzalduas International Bridge Board (AIBB) are pleased to announce the completion of a roadway expansion project at the Anzalduas Land Port of Entry (LPOE) that is designed to reduce wait times at the port.
“Public-private partnership opportunities like this help optimize GSA’s value within local communities,” said GSA PBS Regional Commissioner Giancarlo Brizzi. “By aligning our operational goals and strategic plans with the economic development goals of local communities, we are able to create a positive economic catalyst in the communities we serve and the U.S. economy as a whole.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to pursue public-private partnerships with local entities, such as the Anzalduas International Bridge Board. Having an additional lane and improvements like these have a significant positive impact in our ability to expedite processing times for passengers and also strengthen our ports of entry and the surrounding communities” said Pete Flores, CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations.
City of McAllen Mayor and AIBB Chairman Javier Villalobos, J.D.
“The City of McAllen and the Anzalduas International Bridge Board are proud to partner with CBP and GSA on this donation for infrastructure improvements. We are committed to continue to work with our federal partners to identify and implement innovative methods to expedite traffic and trade at our port of entry,” said City of McAllen Mayor and AIBB Chairman Javier Villalobos, J.D. “The Donations Acceptance Program provides us that venue where we come together and address specific federal needs at the local level which keeps international trade and commerce flowing swiftly and smoothly on both sides of the border. Projects like this ensure that CBP continues with its mission of facilitating legitimate trade and travel while addressing the economic growth and expansion of our city.”
