The city of Edinburg is excited to announce its partnership with the Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program. Image Courtesy of the City of Edinburg
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The city of Edinburg is excited to announce its partnership with the Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program, making it the first Rio Grande Valley municipality to sign on and participate in the distinctive program.
Image Courtesy of the City of Edinburg
Through the PaYS Program, PaYS soldiers are guaranteed a job interview with five PaYS partners of their choice after completing their training or first term of service. Soldiers who participate are able to gain valuable leadership skills, as well as technical skills and experience, while simultaneously easing back into civilian life after serving in the U.S. Army.
“You’re going from a certain different lifestyle into the civilian sector,” said Lieutenant Colonel Adriana Ramirez Scott, the San Antonio Recruiting Battalion Commander, “It’s helpful to already have your foot in the door and transition that way, especially in a community like the city of Edinburg which is very much a Veteran-friendly community.”
Image Courtesy of the City of Edinburg
The PaYS Program will also provide the city of Edinburg with a pool of highly-skilled, motivated, and professional Veterans to fill personnel needs within the city’s team.
“It’s an opportunity to partner with the U.S. Army in a program that, I think, is very near and dear to a lot of us here: working with Veterans that have served our country and provide them the opportunity to be employed in our city of Edinburg,” said Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. “We are a fast-growing city, and we’re looking for employees. What better way than finding and accessing the U.S. Army database of people that have served our country.”
The Partnership between the Army and the city of Edinburg supports the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act.
Siria Jones recalled a moment during her youth when her parents purchased an airplane ticket for her to depart their native Honduras and reunite with them in New York. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN, Texas – Siria Jones recalled a moment during her youth when her parents purchased an airplane ticket for her to depart their native Honduras and reunite with them in New York.
She was entranced by the aerial scene from her window seat as the airplane navigated toward the U.S. That childhood memory would lead to an education at Texas State Technical College.
“That was my first time in an airplane, and I loved it,” she said. “That is how I formed an appreciation for high altitudes.”
Rappelling high above the ground on a wind turbine might cause vertigo for some. But for Jones, who is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at TSTC, it is thrilling.
This is not her first time pursuing a degree at the college.
Years ago, Jones earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in both Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. But she experienced difficulty in finding a job that she liked.
“I decided to research more programs at TSTC,” she said. “I noticed the Wind Energy Technology program. I thought, ‘How will this career benefit my future?’ I enjoy high altitudes and working with gears and engines. I thought it was a great career choice because of its stability. So I enrolled.”
Jones looks forward to the career benefits of the industry.
“This field is very innovative,” she said. “You have the ability to travel. You have the support of a team. For me, this job also provides the opportunity to embrace Mother Nature from a different perspective.”
Currently Jones is the only female student enrolled in the program at the Harlingen campus. She was pleased to learn about the success of other female Wind Energy Technology graduates in the male-dominated field.
“Our program instructors were very thorough about ‘respecting all females in this program and in your career,’” she said. “It was gratifying to know they made it a safe environment.”
Now in her third semester at TSTC, Jones has enjoyed her experience.
“The hands-on activities and the instructors’ support are incredible,” she said. “I appreciate how each instructor adapts to every student’s learning style and personality. They are always there
for you if you need assistance.”
David Wheelock, a TSTC Wind Energy Technology instructor, said Jones excels in her education and has gone above and beyond to ensure that she is prepared.
“She is very committed to the material,” he said. “Her time in the labs and coursework has been near the top of everyone in the program.”
Jones recalled a hydraulics course as her favorite in the program.
“A simulator demonstrated how the hydraulics system in a wind turbine works,” she said. “We were provided with a worksheet that pertained to the schematics of a simulator. It listed the steps about what you need to do and why you are doing it.”
Jones said her future plans include finding a company not only where she will feel like family, but also from which she can retire.
Wind turbine service technicians can earn an average of $51,560 per year in Texas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology, as well as a certificate of completion in Wind Energy Technician, at its Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.
Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for April 2022. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for April 2022, which can be viewed online here.
“CBP continues to enforce the CDC’s Title 42 Public Health Order in addition to the agency’s long-standing Title 8 authorities. When the CDC’s Title 42 Public Health Order is terminated, CBP will once again impose consequences for all unlawful entries by fully exercising its Title 8 authorities, as it used to long before the COVID-19 pandemic,”said CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus. “The fact is that our borders are not open, and we will continue to remove those who enter our country unlawfully and have no legal basis to stay. While we will likely see an increase in encounters after the CDC’s Title 42 public health Order ends, I have a great degree of confidence that the dedicated men and women of CBP and our multiple agency partners will meet this challenge. After many months of planning, we are executing a comprehensive strategy to safely, orderly, and humanely manage our borders. CBP is surging personnel and resources to the border, increasing processing capacity, securing more ground and air transportation, and increasing medical supplies, food, water, and other resources to ensure a humane environment for those being processed, screened, and vetted.”
CBP Southwest Border Enforcement Numbers for April 2022
Since many people expelled into Mexico under Title 42 try to reenter the U.S., Title 42 has contributed to a higher-than-usual number of migrants making multiple border crossing attempts, which means that total encounters somewhat overstate the number of unique individuals arriving at the border.
The number of unique encounters nationwide in April 2022 was 157,555, a 2% decrease in the number of unique enforcement encounters compared to the prior month.
There were 201,800 encounters by U.S. Border Patrol agents along the southwest land border in April, a 4 percent decrease compared to March.
An additional 32,288 encounters occurred by Office of Field Operations officers at a port of entry, an increase of 183 percent compared to March. This is attributed to the high number of Ukrainians processed at southwest border ports of entry. Of the 234,088 total encounters, 28 percent involved individuals who had at least one prior encounter in the previous 12 months, compared to an average one-year re-encounter rate of 15 percent for FY2014-2019.
71 percent of all southwest land border encounters were single adults, with 166,814 encounters in April, which represents a 2 percent decrease compared to March.
96,908 encounters (41 percent of total monthly encounters) were processed for expulsion under Title 42. 137,180 encounters were processed under Title 8.
89,642 encounters involving single adults (54 percent of all single adult encounters) were processed for expulsion under Title 42, with 77,172 processed under Title 8.
7,058 encounters involving family unit individuals (13 percent of all family unit individuals) were processed for expulsion under Title 42, with 47,715 processed under Title 8.
Unaccompanied Children
Encounters of unaccompanied children decreased 14 percent, with 12,221 encounters in April compared with 14,143 in March. In April, the average number of unaccompanied children in CBP custody was 478 per day, compared with an average of 582 per day in March.
Family Unit individuals
Encounters of family unit individuals increased by 45 percent from 37,882 in March to 54,773 in April, which is a 37 percent decrease from the peak of 86,631 in August 2021.
CBP Nationwide Total Encounters for FY22TD through April:1,478,977
Preparations for a Potential Increase in Migration
CBP works to secure and manage our borders while building a fair and orderly immigration system. The CDC has announced that, on May 23, 2022, its Title 42 public health Order will be terminated. As a result, beginning on May 23, 2022, DHS will no longer process families and single adults for expulsion pursuant to Title 42. Instead, DHS will process them for removal under Title 8. Until May 23, 2022, the CDC’s Title 42 Order remains in place, and DHS will continue to process families and single adults for expulsion pursuant to the Order.
Under Title 8, those who attempt to enter the United States without authorization, and who are unable to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States (such as a valid asylum claim), will be quickly removed. Individuals who have been removed are also subject to additional long-term consequences beyond removal from the United States, including bars to future immigration benefits.
DHS has been executing a comprehensive strategy to secure our borders and rebuild our immigration system. DHS began planning last September, and we are leading the execution of a whole-of-government strategy to prepare for and manage any rise in noncitizen encounters.
That includes: 1) surging resources, including personnel, transportation, medical support, and facilities; 2) increasing processing efficiency, while maintaining the integrity of our screening processes, in order to reduce strain on the border; 3) administering consequences for unlawful entry, including expedited removal and criminal prosecution; 4) bolstering the capacity of NGOs and coordinate with state, local and community partners; 5) targeting and disrupting transnational criminal organizations and human smugglers; and 6) deterring irregular migration south of our border, in partnership with other federal agencies and nations.
One of CBP’s core mission objectives is to enhance the nation’s economic prosperity, including through the facilitation of lawful trade and travel. CBP continues to protect the United States’ national and economic security by facilitating legitimate trade while rigorously enforcing U.S. customs laws and regulations.
Count
April 2020
April 2021
% April 2021 Change from April 2020
April 2022
% April 2022 Change from April 2020
% April 2022 Change from April 2021
Air
234,435
3,402,805
+1,452%
8,411,888
+3,588%
+247%
PassengerVehicles
2,711,220
4,925,623
+183%
7,041,521
+258%
+143
Pedestrians
964,956
2,303,487
+239%
3,555,029
+368%
+154%
Commercial Trucks
718,343
1,052,226
+146%
895,177
+125%
-15%
Since travel restrictions were eased on November 8, 2021, CBP has processed increased numbers of arriving travelers without any significant delays. The new rules allow travelers who are non-U.S. persons to seek to enter the United States for non-essential travel via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, provided they are fully vaccinated and have appropriate documentation. The updated guidelines also allow most non-immigrants (non-U.S. citizens and other covered persons) who are fully vaccinated to travel by air to the United States, regardless of the reason for travel.
CBP will continue to track traveler numbers and wait times over the next few months and continue to adjust as needed to make the travel experience more efficient. In the meantime, travelers can plan by doing the following:
Possess proof of an approved COVID-19 vaccination as outlined on the CDC website.
Verbally attest to their travel intent and COVID-19 vaccination status.
Be prepared to present any documents requested by the CBP officer.
Accountability and Transparency
As part of the agency’s continuing effort to promote organizational accountability and transparency, CBP announced the release of its Report on Internal Investigations and Employee Accountability: Fiscal Year 2020. For FY2020, CBP leadership directed the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and Human Resources Management (HRM) to generate a joint report combining information regarding allegation intake and misconduct investigations with information regarding disciplinary outcomes. CBP is committed to being a leader in law enforcement accountability and transparency by providing multiple ways to report incidents as well as timely, accurate, and appropriate information regarding CBP-related deaths, use of force incidents, and other critical incidents resulting in serious injuries. The Accountability and Transparency page provides the public with statements, policies, reports, and other important information concerning critical incidents and related OPR reviews and investigations.
Trade Stats/Seizures – Protecting the American Consumer
CBP works diligently with the trade community and port operators to ensure that merchandise is cleared as efficiently as possible. CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve border security. There are several programs in which CBP works with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers to seek advance information about shipments and expedite the inspection process at the ports of entry. CBP is available to conduct exams and is ready and willing to expand hours of operations if necessary to meet the growing demand for imported goods.
In April 2022 alone, CBP processed more than 2.9 million entry summaries valued at more than $292.6 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $8.3 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. In April, trade via the ocean environment accounted for more than 40 percent of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail.
CBP completed 29 audits that identified $64.8 million in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government, stemming from goods that had been improperly declared in accordance with U.S. trade laws and customs regulations. CBP collected $1.8 million of this identified revenue.
Intellectual property rights violations continue to put America’s innovation economy at risk. Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threaten the competitiveness of U.S. businesses, the livelihoods of American workers, and the health and safety of consumers.
In April 2022, CBP seized nearly 12,332 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $1.8 billion.
CBP officers, Border Patrol agents, and Air and Marine Operations agents continue to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics across the border. Nationwide, drug seizures (Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana) by weight were up 37 percent in April compared to March. Seizures were as follows:
Cocaine seizures increased 96 percent
Methamphetamine increased 20 percent
Heroin seizures increased 138 percent
Fentanyl seizures increased 23 percent
Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found here.
Agriculture Stats/Seizures – Securing American Agriculture
In April 2022, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.
CBP issued 5,892 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products entering the United States.
CBP conducted 81,689 positive passenger inspections and issued 647 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.
CBP COVID-19 Response
The safety of our workforce, our communities, and individuals in our care is a top priority. CBP personnel put themselves and their families at risk with every encounter with the public.
Since the start of the pandemic:
More than 24,792 CBP employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
64 have passed away.
DHS continues to expand its approach to COVID-19 vaccination. On March 28th, 2022, DHS initiated a program to vaccinate noncitizens in CBP custody so as to further safeguard public health and ensure the safety of border communities, the workforce, and noncitizens.
Additionally, CBP takes the following COVID-19 mitigation measures:
CBP provides migrants who can’t be expelled under the CDC’s Title 42 order or are awaiting processing with PPE from the moment they are taken into custody, and migrants are required to keep masks on at all times.
CBP works with appropriate agencies that facilitate testing, diagnosis, isolation, and treatment of migrants, including:
Local governments and non-governmental organizations for persons released from CBP custody;
ICE for testing of persons to be released from CBP custody, particularly in locations without local government or NGO testing capability; and,
HHS for testing of unaccompanied children.
· DHS has developed a partnership model to test and isolate families who test positive for COVID-19 and reimburse 100 percent of the cost, provided that the state does not stand in the way.
McAllen Greeters Celebrates 70 years Of Tradition and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce it. A BIG round of applause for these gentleman that faithfully and smiling greet during the McAllen Chamber of Commerce events. Pictured from L-R, Dale Winter, Office Furniture USA; Mike Young; Roger Stolley, NAI; Bob McCreery, McCreery Aviation, and Cesar Rodriguez, Prime Health. Courtesy photo
Texas Border Business
In 1952, local businessman Charles Clark founded what was originally known as the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s Publicity and Tourism Committee. Today, they are known as the McAllen Greeters who, this year, mark 70 years of service to our tourism community.
The greeters are comprised of McAllen businessmen who volunteer in their spare time to promote the city as a premier tourist destination. The Greeters act as the signature welcome committee for out-of-town visitors, including international delegations, convention and conference attendees, and other special guests.
For 70 years, the Greeters have been pouring up McAllen’s signature cocktail, “Border Buttermilk” at their one-hour receptions. Now, the famous drink is known all over the state as a token of welcome to those who visit. A secret recipe, cities all over Texas have tried to imitate the signature concoction.
“People enjoy being around other people,” said Roger Stolley, Chairman of the McAllen Greeters.
“The Greeter’s mission is making each visitor to McAllen feel at home and to give them something to talk about when they travel back,” said Stolley. “The tradition continues and will continue.”
During their 70-year run, the McAllen Greeters have welcomed quite a few VIP guests, including football legend Tom Landry, Hollywood film stars, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
“We would like to thank all our greeters, past and present, for serving this organization and helping promote our wonderful city to each traveler. Your service does not go unnoticed,” said Blanca Cardenas, Interim President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.
As tourism continues to pick up in McAllen, expect to see the McAllen Greeters in their standard red vest uniform, serving up a tasty pink drink to welcome our city’s visitors.
Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes was one of 24 county officials who in April completed Leadership 254. Image Source: hidalgo county.us for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes was one of 24 county officials who in April completed Leadership 254, the 14-month-long Texas Association of Counties (TAC) leadership development program designed specifically for county officials.
Leadership 254 class participants represented each county office and came from rural, suburban and urban counties across the state. County officials had to apply to attend.
TAC provided scholarships to participants for the program’s tuition fees.
Attendees completed all required training elements, which included four training modules over the course of fourteen months and seventy-nine hours of classroom and training exercises.
Leadership 254 is designed to advance leadership skills of county officials in order to help them meet unique challenges of their duties. The program’s curriculum challenged officials to grow as leaders through skills assessments, discussion, theory building, self-examination and experiential learning. Module materials focused on exploring new dimensions of one’s self and relating to others; decision making, integrity and consideration; leading others; and transformational leadership.
The Mission Police Department hosted a Police & Fire Memorial Ceremony this morning, to commemorate National Police Week. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
The Mission Police Department hosted a Police & Fire Memorial Ceremony this morning, to commemorate National Police Week.
Courtesy Image
The organization is paying tribute to Mission Police Officers Jose Luis “Speedy” Espericueta Jr., Jorge Cabrera, Humberto Javier Avila and Fulgencio Velasco III. They also honored the numerous first responders across the RGV and our country, who have died in the line of duty.
Courtesy Image
Local law enforcement agencies from across Hidalgo County joined Mission police officers and firefighters in honoring the heroes lost.
Elon Musk at Starbase in Brownsville hosting the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
By Helen Ramirez
The City of Brownsville welcomed President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. The President flew into Brownsville Airport for a visit at Starbase Spacex with Elon Musk.
Elon Musk meeting with Joko Widodo president of Indonesia who visited Starbase in Brownsville. Courtesy Images
Honorable Andre Omer Siregar, Consul General stated “The President of the Republic of Indonesia visiting Texas for the first time is very special… I am hoping that this visit will inspire more economic development and people towards cooperation.” Consul General was welcomed by City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky and gracious enough to speak her son and encourage all youth to visit Indonesia. Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport Source Helen Ramirez, AICP, Deputy City Manager and Executive Director of Greater Brownsville Incentives Corp.
Consul General was welcomed by City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky and gracious enough to speak her son and encourage all youth to visit Indonesia. Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport Source Helen Ramirez, AICP, Deputy City Manager and Executive Director of Greater Brownsville Incentives Corp. Courtesy Image
Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa delivers the keynote address in Nueces County. Courtesy images
Texas Border Business
Sen. Hinojosa said to be honored when he accept the invitation from Nueces County Sheriff J.C. Hooper to serve as the keynote speaker at the 2022 Police Officer Memorial ceremony in Corpus Christi.
Courtesy Image
Hinojosa said, “Our law enforcement men and women risk their lives daily. There is no routine traffic stop or routine response to a call for help. We thank our officers for keeping us safe and patrolling our neighborhoods, streets, and highways day and night.” He continued, “We thank their families for the sacrifice they have to make and for their suffering, pain and heartache when their loved one does not come home.”
Courtesy Image
Last week, he honored and remembered all fallen officers for their courage, sacrifice, and valor. “We must never forget our peace officers who died while in the line of duty working to keep us safe,” said Hinojosa in closing.
Visit McAllen, a division of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has named Maritza Munoz as its newest convention sales manager. Courtesy Image, Image Source visitmcallen.com for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Visit McAllen, a division of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has named Maritza Munoz as its newest convention sales manager.
Munoz has been employed at the Chamber for over twenty-two years servicing the tourism and hospitality industry in various roles. Munoz has represented McAllen at travel and tradeshows throughout the U.S. and Canada while also assisting with media familiarization trips, as well as helping to organize sales missions throughout Mexico. She also has an extensive background in special events and has helped to organize major events in McAllen, including Christmas in the Park during the McAllen Holiday Parade and the monthly Music After Hours series hosted at the McAllen Food Truck Park.
“I am extremely excited to be promoted to our Visit McAllen sales team, and I am honored to get the opportunity to continue to work for an organization that I have dedicated a great portion of my life to. Being able to promote and generate revenue for the city I absolutely love and was raised in makes this career move even sweeter,” said Munoz.
As a convention sales manager, Munoz will be tasked with promoting and selling convention business and representing McAllen at trade shows and events while fostering new and existing client relationships through ongoing communications to deliver great guest experience and generate economic impact for McAllen.
“Maritza has long been a valued member of our Visit McAllen team, and her customer service skills and attention to detail have carried her far. I am confident that she will continue to be a valuable asset to our team in this new role,” said Alex Arevalo, Interim Director of Visit McAllen.
If you are a member of an association or organization and would like to learn more about having your conference or event in McAllen, contact the Visit McAllen sales team at meetings@visitmcallen.com or call 956-682-2871
Operation Lone Star’s maritime unit, the Tactical Response Unit, patrols more than 15 miles of the deep parts of the Rio Grande, searching for illegal crossings and other transnational criminal activity along the river. PHOTO: Texas Military Department
Texas Border Business
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, multi-agency efforts have led to more than 246,000 migrant apprehensions, along with more than 15,000 criminal arrests — and more than 12,400 felony charges. Over 4,800 weapons and over $38 million in currency have been seized. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 344 million lethal doses throughout the state.
As part of the response to President Biden’s reckless decision to end Title 42 expulsions this month, which his own administration has estimated will lead to 18,000 illegal crossings per day, Governor Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses to transport migrants from Texas border communities to Washington, D.C. Since launching this busing operation a month ago, a total of 35 buses have transported 922 migrants.
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.
Governor Abbott recognized National Fentanyl Awareness Day earlier this week and highlighted Operation Lone Star’s success in seizing over 344 million lethal doses of fentanyl – enough doses to kill every American. The Governor reaffirmed Texas’ commitment to stopping the flow of drugs from coming into the United States thanks to President Biden’s inaction to secure the border.
“Governor Abbott, to his credit, has remained steadfast amid the criticism and even left the door open to further, expanded inspection orders if his Mexican counterparts refuse to follow through on their commitments,” writes Collin Pruett with The American Conservative. “He’s proving that states can fight back against border lawlessness and win, even in the face of international political and business interests.”
Texas Army National Guard troops mobilized mass migration response forces alongside partner agencies on May 6 at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo. Troops were equipped to interdict and deter large groups of persons attempting to cross the Texas-Mexico border illegally. The Texas Guardsmen were accompanied by members of DPS, U.S. Border Patrol, and local law enforcement. Mexican national law enforcement agency partners in Tamaulipas, Mexico participated in the response force exercise across the Rio Grande.
Texas National Guard Troops Team Up With DPS, Border Patrol, Mexican Police To Practice Mass Migration Response In Eagle Pass
PHOTO: Texas Military Department
Texas National Guard troops teamed up with DPS, U.S. Border Patrol, and Mexican law enforcement to practice mass migration tactics last week in Eagle Pass. The exercise, Operation Mirror Image, demonstrates the shared solidary across the border in the mission to stop criminal actors taking advantage of the influx of migrants ahead of the Biden Administration’s decision to end Title 42 expulsions.
Texas National Guard Specialized Maritime Unit Patrols Rio Grande For Illegal Crossings, Transnational Criminal Activity
Texas National Guard’s specialized maritime unit patrols the Rio Grande using a fleet of small bay boats and Zodiacs. Operation Lone Star’s maritime unit, the Tactical Response Unit, patrols more than 15 miles of the deep parts of the Rio Grande, searching for illegal crossings and other transnational criminal activity along the river. This specialized maritime unit can patrol in shallow water furthering the Guard’s reach on the Rio Grande.
Texas National Guard troops, alongside partner agencies, helped apprehend or deter over 200 illegal immigrants crossing the Texas-Mexico border near Laredo. Many of the crossing points in this 15-mile stretch of land in the Laredo area lead directly into backyards, playgrounds, and busy storefronts.
DPS Lt. Christopher Olivarez joined Fox News this week where he discussed the surge of fentanyl coming across our southern border as the federal government fails to secure the border and prevent cartels from smuggling lethal drugs into the United States.
A smuggler led DPS troopers on a high speed pursuit through Hidalgo County on May 5. DPS’ Aircraft Division assisted in locating the driver who was charged with smuggling of persons and evading arrest. The smuggler was eventually stopped in an alleyway.
DPS troopers, with the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol agents, stopped two semi-trucks in Webb County. The traffic stop-and-search of the commercial vehicles resulted in the apprehension of 203 illegal migrants who were found concealed inside the box trailers without proper ventilation.
