Any teen aged 14 or older who lives or goes to school in the city of McAllen is eligible to apply to serve as a teen juror and/or attorney for the program. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
McAllen Municipal Court’s Teen Court Program has opened applications for local teens to volunteer as teen attorneys and jurors beginning in July 2025 to December 2025. McAllen Municipal Court’s Teen Court Program allows teenage offenders to dispose of their citations in a court of their peers. In lieu of a conviction and fees, the teens are represented by teen attorneys and the case is tried to teen jurors. As long as the teen offender completes the community service hours and requirements assessed by the teen jury, their charge is dismissed, and no fines are assessed against them.
Courtesy image
Any teen aged 14 or older who lives or goes to school in the city of McAllen is eligible to apply to serve as a teen juror and/or attorney for the program. Teen volunteers will serve as jurors, prosecutors, and defense attorneys on class C misdemeanor offenses. Volunteers are limited to those enrolled in secondary education; college applicants are not being accepted at this time. If selected, the teen volunteer will be required to attend one of two Teen Law School trainings in the month of December where they will learn the requirements of the program and will be taught advocacy skills by local trial attorneys. Teens selected will serve as volunteers for teen court sessions from the month of July 2025 to December 2025. Participation in the Teen Court Program requires no financial commitment and financial assistance for court appropriate clothing for volunteers is available.
To apply as a teen volunteer for the McAllen Municipal Court Teen Court Program, please contact Teen Court Coordinator Adriana Flores at (956)681-2900 or via email at aflores@mcallen.net Teens can also access the application at https://tinyurl.com/MMCTCprogram or at the QR code below.
Applications are open through Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Those chosen as teen volunteers will be notified no later than July 3, 2025.
For more information on the McAllen Teen Court, follow McAllen Municipal Court on Facebook or on Instagram @mcallenmunicourt.
Starting Monday, June 9, 2025, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) will once again provide children 18 years and younger—and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old—with free breakfast and lunch meals through its 2025 Summer Meals Program, in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Courtesy image
Texas Border Business
PHARR – Starting Monday, June 9, 2025, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) will once again provide children 18 years and younger—and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old—with free breakfast and lunch meals through its 2025 Summer Meals Program, in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Courtesy image
Meals will be served at all PSJA ISD schools from June 9 – June 27 and August 4 – August 15.
Tentative school site serving times are:
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In addition to school locations, community sites offering free meals include:
Alamo Youth Center (Monday–Friday)
Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pharr Parks & Recreation Summer Camp at Pepe Salinas Building (Monday–Thursday)
Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition initiative administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), designed to ensure children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is not in session.
“PSJA ISD students need year-round support, and our Child Nutrition staff is ready to assist,” said PSJA Child Nutrition Administrator Pedro Contreras. “With nearly 2 million food-insecure children in Texas, these nutritious meals are essential for nourishing our students during the summer break.”
PSJA ISD encourages families to use the following tools to find a nearby meal site:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Progreso International Bridge apprehended a man wanted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged indecency with a child by sexual contact. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
PROGRESO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Progreso International Bridge apprehended a man wanted by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged indecency with a child by sexual contact.
“Our frontline CBP officers maintained their vigilance and uncovered a man wanted on a significant alleged offense of a sexual nature involving a child,” said Port Director Michael Martinez, Progreso Port of Entry. “Apprehensions like these exemplify CBP’s continued commitment to our border security mission and protecting our communities.”
The arrest occurred on June 5. CBP officers at the Progreso International Bridge referred Noe Magallen, 71, a U.S. citizen, for secondary inspection. During secondary examination, CBP officers utilizing federal law enforcement databases and biometric verification verified his identity and discovered he was the subject of an outstanding felony arrest warrant for indecency with a child by sexual contact issued by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Magallen was turned over to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies for adjudication of the warrant.
The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
SpaceX Boca Chica Group via Starship Gazar Michael Paul’s Facebook Post. Photo from a video grab
Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Linde, a global leader in industrial gases, has commenced construction of a new air separation plant in Brownsville, Texas. The facility is located at 7245 Industrial Circle, Lot 6, within the North Brownsville Industrial Park—a 72-acre development managed by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC).
The plant is being built to supply liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid nitrogen (LN₂) to SpaceX’s Starbase operations located in Boca Chica. These industrial gases are critical to SpaceX’s Starship development and launch activities. Once operational, the facility is expected to significantly reduce delivery times, cutting the distance between production and launch site from over 500 miles to less than 50.
The project represents an estimated $100 million investment by Linde and is expected to create approximately 90 local jobs. The company purchased 9 acres within the industrial park to develop the site. According to public reports and community posts, construction signage and early infrastructure work are already visible on location.
Social media platforms, particularly within the SpaceX and Starship enthusiast community, have provided early visuals and observations of the site. Several Starship Gazer Facebook group posts confirm the facility’s intended role and ongoing construction. One post read: “First look at the new Linde Air Separation Plant under construction in Brownsville to supply Starbase and Starship with Liquid Oxygen, Liquid…” Another adds: “Linde will be setting up an Air Separation Unit in Brownsville to supply Starbase.” These posts are accompanied by images showing the site and on-location signage.
Mayor John Cowen also acknowledged the project on Facebook, stating, “I am very glad to welcome the arrival of our newest industrial company, Linde, to Brownsville at GBIC’s North Brownsville Industrial Park. As I mentioned in the article, I appreciate their significant investment in our community, which will create well-paying jobs for our residents. Great things are happening in Brownsville!!”
Further verification comes from spaceflight sources such as the Starship Wiki, which identifies the exact plant location and describes the facility as a key supplier of industrial gases to support Starbase and Starship operations. It also notes the site is a 43-minute drive from Starbase. User SE Robinson Jr. posted additional confirmation to X, who reiterated the site’s location and noted that Linde will serve as a “top SpaceX supplier.”
As construction progresses, Linde, GBIC, and SpaceX are expected to provide more official details, renderings, and technical specifications. In the meantime, community updates and local leadership statements continue to highlight the significance of this project in Brownsville’s growing role in the commercial space industry.
The U.S. Department of Education announced additional appointees who will work to carry out President Trump and Secretary McMahon’s vision for making American education the best in the world. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
The U.S. Department of Education announced additional appointees who will work to carry out President Trump and Secretary McMahon’s vision for making American education the best in the world.
Lindsey Burke, Ph.D. – Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Programs
Lindsey Burke spent the last 17 years at the Heritage Foundation, where she was most recently Director of the Center for Education Policy and the Mark A. Kolokotrones Fellow in Education. In that capacity, she oversaw Heritage’s
preschool, K-12, and higher education policy and research. Lindsey’s scholarly research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Social Science Quarterly and Educational Research and Evaluation, and she has published hundreds of policy reports on a range of education issues and testified before Congress on numerous occasions. In 2021, Lindsey was tapped to join Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin’s transition steering committee and was appointed to serve on the Youngkin landing team for education. She was also appointed by Governor Youngkin to serve on the Board of Visitors for George Mason University.
Lindsey has served as a fellow at EdChoice, the namesake foundation of Milton and Rose Friedman, on the national advisory board of Learn4Life, a network of public charter schools serving opportunity youth, on the board of the Educational Freedom Institute, on the advisory board of the Independent Women’s Forum’s Education Freedom Center, and on the advisory board of the University of Austin’s Center for Education and Public Service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, a master of teaching degree in Foreign Language Education from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D in Education Policy from George Mason University.
Jeffrey Andrade – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, Office of Postsecondary Education
Jeff Andrade comes to the Trump Administration with nearly 40 years of experience in federal education and workforce development policy in both the public and private sectors. Jeff began his professional career at the Department of Education as a career civil servant and quickly worked his way up from entry-level policy analyst to senior budget analyst responsible for student financial assistance. Later, on Capitol Hill, Jeff was a senior Republican staffer on the House Education and Workforce Committee, helping to successfully draft and negotiate reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act, Workforce Investment Act, and other important legislation for people with disabilities. He also drafted the landmark legislation that created the Federal government’s first performance-based organization, the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office.
A first-generation American originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, Jeff was the first in his family to graduate from college. He financed his education through earnings from factory and other jobs and with help from Pell Grants, other federal student aid, and institutional scholarships. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Political Science from The American University in Washington, D.C., and resides with family outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Christopher J. McCaghren – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education
Dr. Chris McCaghren most recently served as the CEO of Higher Education Solutions, a full-service higher education consulting firm with a national presence, serving colleges and universities of all types. During the first Trump Administration, Dr. McCaghren served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs where he oversaw the distribution of more than $36 billion in pandemic relief funding to more than 5,100 institutions of higher education and their students.
Before being called to Washington, DC, he served as the Executive Vice President and Provost, as well as Professor of Higher Education Leadership and Policy, at the University of Mobile. Dr. McCaghren also served as Dean of the College of Education at Anderson University and as Assistant to the President for External Programs and Division Head for the Division of Career and Continuing Studies at Samford University. In addition, he served Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6, retired) and the great people of the state of Alabama as Special Assistant to the Congressman.
Dr. McCaghren holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in higher education leadership and policy, a master of theological studies from Beeson Divinity School, and a double major undergraduate degree in communication studies and classics from Samford University.
Nicholas “Nick” Moore – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Nick Moore most recently served as the director of the Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Transformation (GOEWT) under the leadership of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Moore focused on aligning Alabama’s education and workforce programs, implementing Alabama’s state longitudinal database system, establishing Alabama’s non-degree credential quality and transparency system, and curating a competency-based education and skills-based hiring system in Alabama. Under Nick’s leadership, the GOEWT worked to establish a learning and employment record, a skills-based job description generator, and a human-centered public workforce system designed to assist Alabamians with overcoming benefits cliffs and other barriers to entering the workforce. He served as a Teach for America corps member in Lowndes County, Alabama where he had the privilege of teaching secondary social studies, government, and economics at Central High School. After completing his tenure in Lowndes County, Nick received a Teach for America Capitol Hill Fellowship. During and after his fellowship, he covered education, health care, and workforce development in the Office of Representative Martha Roby (AL-02). Nick later served as Senator Luther Strange’s Legislative Assistant for healthcare, education, and labor.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a Master of Public Policy from Cornell University. Moore is a native of Enterprise, Alabama.
Jason Delisle – Chief Economist and Senior Adviser, Office of the Under Secretary
Jason Delisle is an expert in higher education finance and policy. He has held senior positions at several prestigious think tanks in Washington, D.C., including the American Enterprise Institute and the Urban Institute. Delisle’s work has focused on the federal student loan program, college enrollment and pricing, the for-profit higher education sector, and international higher education systems. He has testified before Congress and as an expert witness in federal court.
Delisle started his career on Capitol Hill, first in the office of former US Representative Thomas Petri (R-WI) and then as an analyst for the US Senate Committee on the Budget. Delisle holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Lawrence University and a Master of Public Policy from the George Washington University.
Casey K. Sacks, Ph.D. – Senior Policy Advisor, Workforce and AI
Casey K. Sacks, Ph.D. is the President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College and founder of the WIN Academy Early College Charter High School in Charleston, WV. Sacks previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges at the U.S. Department of Education where she led work related to workforce development, career and technical education, adult education, and prison education. Sacks also served on the Board of Homebuilders International (HBI), the SkillPointe Foundation Board, Thomas Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, as a Commissioner with the Postsecondary Commission, on the WV CARES for Autism Board, and as a gubernatorial appointee to the WV State Workforce Board. She was an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellow in the inaugural class and earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Meir Katz – Senior Advisor, Office for Civil Rights
Meir Katz previously served as a Senior Counsel in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). He was tasked with tackling some of the most difficult questions of civil rights law and policy facing OCR. More recently, Meir served as an Administrative Appeals Judge on the Medicare Appeals Counsel, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issuing decisions on behalf of the Secretary of HHS and providing the final administrative review in many hundreds of Medicare claims appeals. Before entering federal service, Meir was Legal Counsel and the principal appellate and dispositive motions litigator for a private litigation firm, devoting over half his docket to the representation of victims of terrorism seeking redress from its sponsors, benefactors, and enablers, including sovereign foreign governments and global banking conglomerates. Meir delivered oral argument in numerous federal appeals and was the principal author of well over 100 appellate briefs. Meir is also a published author of five law review articles and a former teacher, having taught courses on the First Amendment and on the separation of powers enshrined in the federal Constitution. Meir received his J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center.
Beginning Monday, June 9, 2025, the McAllen Independent School District will begin their Summer school program. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Beginning Monday, June 9, 2025, the McAllen Independent School District will begin their Summer school program. In following safety protocols for all students, city school parks will continue to follow the normal school day gate closure schedule. The following parks (see list below) located at McAllen Independent School District schools will only be open to the public Monday through Friday during the times listed below. All parks listed will be open Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m.
Summer City School Park Hours
Monday through Friday; June 9th– June 27th 4:15 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Milam Elementary- 3800 N Main St., McAllen, TX 78501
Roosevelt Elementary – 4801 S 26th St, McAllen, TX 78503
Garza Elementary – 6300 N 29th St, McAllen, TX 78504
Stay connected to the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department website for programming and event updates. Please contact McAllen Parks & Recreation at (956) 681-3320 or pardmarketing@mcallen.net with any questions. Follow @McAllenParks on Facebook, Instagram, and You Tube.
The City of McAllen and McAllen I.S.D. are proud to announce the return of the Summer Meals for Kids program. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen and McAllen I.S.D. are proud to announce the return of the Summer Meals for Kids program, providing free nutritious meals to children and teens 18 and under at the McAllen Public Library, located at 4001 N. 23rd St. The program begins Monday, June 9, 2025, and runs through Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Library, with multiple meal sites throughout the community continuing through Friday, August 8, 2025.
No registration is required, and meals including breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served on-site at participating locations, including schools, libraries, community centers, and parks across McAllen. Lunch will be served at the Library, Monday through Thursday, at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and snacks from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be no food service at MPL on Fridays.
Courtesy image
“This program ensures that every child in McAllen has access to healthy meals even when school is out,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “We are proud to work with McAllen ISD to support families and children in our city during the summer months.”
The initiative is made possible through a strong collaboration between the City of McAllen and McAllen ISD, both committed to promoting youth well-being and food security.
“Our mission has always been to serve the community, especially its youngest members,” said City Manager Isaac Tawil. “By working together, we are expanding access to nutritious meals where children live, learn, and play.”
Dr. René Gutiérrez, Superintendent of McAllen ISD, added, “We understand that for many children, school meals are their main source of nutrition. This program helps bridge the gap during the summer break so that no child goes hungry.”
The summer meals will follow federal nutrition guidelines and are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A full list of meal sites, dates, and serving times can be found on McAllen ISD’s website or by visiting www.mcallenisd.org/summermeals.
For questions or more information, contact McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Services at (956) 632-3226.
Judicial Watch announced a $4.975 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. Government filed on behalf of the family of Ashli Babbitt, the U.S. Air Force veteran who was shot and killed inside the U.S. Capitol by then-Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd on January 6, 2021. Ashli Babbitt was the only January 6 homicide victim. Image; Public Domain. Bgd for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Judicial Watch
WASHINGTON, DC – Judicial Watch announced a $4.975 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. Government filed on behalf of the family of Ashli Babbitt, the U.S. Air Force veteran who was shot and killed inside the U.S. Capitol by then-Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd on January 6, 2021. Ashli Babbitt was the only January 6 homicide victim.
“This fair settlement is a historic and necessary step for justice for Ashli Babbitt’s family. Ashli should never have been killed, and this settlement destroys the evil, partisan narrative that justified her outrageous killing and protected her killer,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “Judicial Watch’s team spent years investigating, litigating, and exposing the truth about Ashli’s homicide. And credit goes to the hundreds of thousands of Judicial Watch supporters who fought this cause! President Trump was an absolute rock in supporting Ashli’s family and advocating for justice!”
Babbitt, 35, owned and operated a successful pool business with her husband Aaron. Ashli traveled alone from San Diego to Washington, DC, to attend the Women for America First (aka Save America) rally on January 6, 2021, at the Ellipse near the White House.
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in San Diego, California, Ashli’s home venue, on January 5, 2024, against the U.S. Government on behalf of the family of Ashli Babbitt and transferred to the District of Columbia over objection (Estate of Ashli Babbitt and Aaron Babbitt, et al. v. United States of America (No. 1:24-cv-01701 (formerly 3:24-cv-00033)). In settling the lawsuit, the parties signed a “Stipulation for Compromise Settlement and Release:”
to settle and compromise each and every claim of any kind, whether known or unknown, including claims for wrongful death, arising directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions that gave rise to the above-captioned action under the terms and conditions set forth in this Stipulation.
This Stipulation is not and should not be construed as, an admission of liability or fault on the part of the United States, its agents, servants, or employees, and it is specifically denied that they are liable to Plaintiffs. This settlement is entered into by all parties for the purpose of compromising disputed claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and avoiding the expenses and risks of further litigation.
In consideration for the Plaintiffs’ agreement to accept the terms and conditions of this settlement, the United States agrees to pay Plaintiffs the amount of Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($4,975,000.00)…
The lawsuit included claims against the U.S. government for wrongful death, assault and battery, and various negligence claims.
As the Babbitt family alleged in its lawsuit:
The shooting occurred at the east entrance to the Speaker’s Lobby. After demonstrators filled the hallway outside the lobby, two individuals in the crowded, tightly packed hallway struck and dislodged the glass panels in the lobby doors and the right door sidelight. Lt. Byrd, who is a United States Capitol Police commander and was the incident commander for the House on January 6, 2021, shot Ashli on sight as she raised herself up into the opening of the right door sidelight. Lt. Byrd later confessed that he shot Ashli before seeing her hands or assessing her intentions or even identifying her as female. Ashli was unarmed. Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers in the lobby.
***
The facts speak truth. Ashli was ambushed when she was shot by Lt. Byrd. Multiple witnesses at the scene yelled, “you just murdered her.”
Lt. Byrd was never charged or otherwise punished or disciplined for Ashli’s homicide.
The lawsuit also alleged:
Lt. Byrd, who is a (U.S. Capitol Police) commander and was the incident commander for the House on January 6, 2021, shot Ashli as she raised herself up into the opening of the right door sidelight.… Not one member of Congress was in the lobby, which was guarded by multiple armed police officers. Additional armed police officers were in the hallway outside the lobby and/or on the adjoining stairway. Ashli could not have seen Lt. Byrd, who was positioned far to Ashli’s left and on the opposite side of the doors, near an opening to the Retiring Room, a distance of approximately 15 feet and an angle of approximately 160 degrees. Sgt. Timothy Lively, one of the armed officers guarding the lobby doors from the hallway, later told officials investigating the shooting, “I saw him . . there was no way that woman would’ve seen that.” Lt. Byrd, who was not in uniform, did not identify himself as a police officer or otherwise make his presence known to Ashli. Lt. Byrd did not give Ashli any warnings or commands before shooting her dead.
Judicial Watch has been pursuing five lawsuits to secure transparency regarding Babbit’s death and other government activities on January 6.
In January 2023, documents from the Department of the Air Force, Joint Base Andrews, MD, showed Byrd was housed at taxpayer expense at Joint Base Andrews after he shot and killed Babbitt inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In November 2021, Judicial Watch released multiple audio, visual and photo recordsfrom the DC Metropolitan Police Department about the shooting death of Babbitt in the U.S. Capitol Building. The records included a cell phone video of the shooting and an audio of a brief police interview of the shooter, Byrd.
In October 2021, Judicial Watch uncovered records from the DC Metropolitan Police about the shooting death of Babbitt. The new records include the January 6, 2021, Metro PD Death Report for Babbitt (identified as Ashli Elizabeth McEntee-Babbitt Pamatian). The investigators note that the possible Manner of Death was “Homicide [Police Involved Shooting].”
Earlier this week, Governor Abbott shared photos on X, formerly known as Twitter, of Texas National Guard soldiers constructing additional razor wire barriers near Eagle Pass. Photo Office of the Governor on X
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together with the Trump Administration to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 533,700 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 54,300 criminal arrests, with more than 45,600 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 733 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined during this border mission.
Operation Lone Star continues working to undo the damage done by the Biden Administration. 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 open border policies.
Earlier this week, Governor Abbott shared photos on X, formerly known as Twitter, of Texas National Guard soldiers constructing additional razor wire barriers near Eagle Pass.
Texas continues to partner with the Trump Administration to secure the southern border.
On Saturday on X, Governor Abbott showcased Texas National Guard soldiers conducting a patrol operation with Border Patrol at the Del Rio Port of Entry.
Texas is working diligently with its new federal partners to deny illegal crossing attempts along the southern border. Since President Donald Trump took office, illegal border crossings have decreased by 99.9%.
Last week, a smuggler driving a blue Ford F-250 led a DPS trooper on a high-speed pursuit along IH-35 in Webb County. The smuggler, Christian Joel Cordova Bohorquez, an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, recklessly evaded arrest, driving off the road and damaging private ranch fences before bailing out of the vehicle.
With assistance from Border Patrol and their tracking K-9, four illegal immigrants, including a 16-year-old male, were found hiding in the brush. When Border Patrol Agents located Bohorquez, he confessed to being paid $700 to smuggle each person in the vehicle. DPS troopers also learned the Ford F-250 was reported stolen out of San Antonio.
Bohorquez was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and smuggling of persons under 18 years of age. DPS troopers referred all four illegal immigrants to Border Patrol.
Last Monday in West Texas, the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group and DPS troopers stopped a Dodge Journey on Paisano Drive in El Paso County for suspected human smuggling. DPS personnel observed several illegal immigrants lying down in the rear part of the vehicle, attempting to conceal themselves.
The smuggler, Alejandro Calderon, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested and charged with smuggling of persons. The 10 illegal immigrants, from Mexico, were referred to Border Patrol.
Last month, a smuggler driving a white Dodge Charger led DPS troopers on a high-speed pursuit on Trade Center Boulevard in Webb County. During the pursuit, the driver, Jose Samuel Hernandez, from Laredo, lost control and damaged the passenger-side front and rear tires but continued to evade. Hernandez and multiple illegal immigrants eventually bailed out of the vehicle to evade on foot, but DPS troopers located and apprehended all vehicle occupants.
Hernandez was arrested and charged with evading arrest and smuggling of persons. Seven illegal immigrants, from Mexico, were referred to Border Patrol.
Earlier this week, a DPS Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent responded to a Border Patrol station in Weslaco regarding a male subject who had been detained for smuggling multiple large bundles of marijuana.
Daniel Brandon Sayas-Carrasco, 23, a confirmed Valluco gang member from Mission, was transporting 118 pounds of marijuana inside the bed of his black GMC Sierra in Mercedes. DPS adopted the case and charged Sayas-Carrasco with felony possession of marijuana.
DPS took possession of the marijuana and booked Sayas-Carrasco into the Hidalgo County jail.
Texas National Guard Soldiers Conduct Daily River Patrols
Photo: Texas Military Department
On Tuesday, Texas National Guard soldiers working Operation Lone Star patrolled key sections of the Rio Grande River, providing an active presence to deter illegal activity and assist Border Patrol in detecting illegal crossings.
Texas National Guard, Border Patrol Seize Over $76,400 Worth Of Marijuana
Photo: Texas Military Department
Last week, Texas National Guard soldiers and Border Patrol agents seized two bundles of marijuana during a joint operation in Brownsville. During the seizure, a juvenile from Mexico was apprehended. The bundles had a total weight of 95 pounds and a street value of $76,456.
These narcotics seizures highlight the collaborative efforts between Texas and its federal partners to combat illegal activity along the southern border.
This week, Texas National Guard soldiers working Operation Lone Star conducted a week-long mission to disrupt terrorist cartel activity along the Texas-Mexico border.
Senior Airman Patrick Meeks discussed the Texas National Guard’s operation with the federal government to stop cartel operations, utilizing advanced technology such as FLIR thermal breach and Pulsar thermal XL50 to detect criminal activity day or night.
“A lot of times [cartel members] wear dark clothing, they’re in the shadows, so it’s definitely a huge asset to be able to effectively identify and detect them,” said SrA. Meeks. “With the Title 8 authority, we’re able to go hands-on with apprehending, transporting, and investigating any illegal activity alongside U.S. Border Patrol. My favorite part is getting to work alongside Border Patrol, DPS, any state and local law enforcement ang getting to wake up every day or night to protect my state and country.”
Texas Game Wardens were out in force over Memorial Day weekend, focusing on boating and public safety across the state. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Border Business
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
AUSTIN –Texas Game Wardens were out in force over Memorial Day weekend, focusing on boating and public safety across the state. The ramped-up patrols included:
10,897 vessel checks
1,374 citations issued
1,951 warnings issued
53 boating while intoxicated charges filed–the highest in the past five years
Seven driving while intoxicated charges filed
21 other arrests
They also responded to six boating incidents or collisions, one of which resulted in a fatality at Grapevine Lake. There were also two drownings reported at Elmendorf Lake and on the Red River, a marked decrease from 2024.
“When alcohol, crowded waterways and severe weather are in the mix, the risk of incidents can rise fast,” said Cody Jones, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) assistant commander for marine enforcement. “That’s why we prioritize presence, visibility and swift response. We can’t be everywhere at once, so we need the public to meet us halfway by boating responsibly. We are thankful for everyone who did over the holiday weekend.”
Wardens also reported a significant number of personal watercraft operators without required boater education and responded to multiple calls for paddler assists, medical emergencies and supported partner emergency response agencies. Multiple water and boat rescues were reported statewide.
On Lake Travis, wardens launched during a Memorial Day evening thunderstorm into winds upwards of 60 mph and lightning to rescue five people onboard a distressed vessel. All individuals were brought to safety.
On the Falcon International Reservoir, wardens rescued a 5-year-old girl on an inflatable tube being blown away from shore. The child, wearing no life jacket, was picked up by wardens before winds could capsize her tube. She was reunited with her family, who also received education on the importance of personal floatation devices.
In Medina County, wardens assisted the local fire and sheriff’s office during two house fires that spread to a 26-acre pasture, threatening roughly 10 more homes. Wardens quickly located landowners to grant fire crews access that prevented further destruction.
In a separate incident, game wardens supported a local sheriff’s office with a barricaded suspect in a domestic violence case. The suspect’s wife and children were safely evacuated from the residence.
“Our wardens don’t just patrol the water — they serve wherever they’re needed,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. “This weekend was a good example of the depth of their commitment to public safety, responding in severe weather, major fire incidents and high-risk law enforcement situations.”
This year’s Memorial Day Weekend also marked the inaugural launch of TPWD’s Adopt-A-Ramp program, an outreach initiative pairing volunteers and organizations with local boat ramps to promote safety, education and readiness. Teams offered guidance on life jacket use, essential safety gear and water safety best practices.
Participating organizations included: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), The LV Project, Recademics, the City of South Padre Island Ocean Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAux).
Adopt-A-Ramp outreach efforts reached 1,733 adults and 507 children across locations at Lake Lavon, Lake Lewisville and South Padre Island.
