The U.S. Census Bureau has released new data products from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), a survey that measures business conditions and projections on an ongoing basis. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau has released new data products from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), a survey that measures business conditions and projections on an ongoing basis. The BTOS includes data for multiunit/multilocation businesses. BTOS will continue to collect data complementary to key items found on other economic surveys, such as revenues, employees, hours, and inventories.
Work from home (WFH) supplemental questions were added to the BTOS for one cycle (11/4/2024-1/26/2025). Existing measures of WFH reveal significant data gaps in understanding its scope, particularly from the business perspective. To address this, eleven WFH questions were developed for the BTOS, covering the share and frequency of WFH, challenges, management policies, and business impact. These data are now available.
BTOS data are representative of all employer businesses in the U.S. economy, excluding farms. BTOS provides insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely data for key economic measures every two weeks. By providing continuous data with geographic and subsector detail, BTOS captures the impact of events like natural disasters and economic crises and assists in monitoring recovery efforts.
The BTOS sample consists of approximately 1.2 million businesses with biweekly data collection. Selected businesses are split into six panels (approximately 200,000 cases per panel) that will be asked to report every 12 weeks for a year. The Census Bureau estimates it takes the average respondent approximately nine minutes to complete the survey, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers.
Data will be released biweekly and available by sector, state and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. Survey results give local, state and federal officials essential, real-time data to aid in policymaking and decision-making. In addition, the information aids businesses in making economic decisions.
A federal jury convicted the CEO of Power Mobility Doctor Rx, LLC (DMERx) for his role in operating a platform that generated false doctors’ orders to defraud Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs of more than $1 billion. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
U.S. Department of Justice
A federal jury convicted the CEO of Power Mobility Doctor Rx, LLC (DMERx) for his role in operating a platform that generated false doctors’ orders to defraud Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs of more than $1 billion.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Gary Cox, 79, of Maricopa County, Arizona, and his co-conspirators targeted hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who provided their personally identifiable information and agreed to accept medically unnecessary orthotic braces, pain creams, and other items through misleading mailers, television advertisements, and calls from offshore call centers. Cox and his co-conspirators owned, controlled, and operated DMERx, an internet-based platform that generated false and fraudulent doctors’ orders for these items. As part of the scheme, Cox connected pharmacies, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and marketers with telemedicine companies that would accept illegal kickbacks and bribes in exchange for signed doctors’ orders transmitted using the DMERx platform. Cox and his co-conspirators received payments for coordinating these illegal kickback transactions and referring the completed doctors’ orders to the DME suppliers, pharmacies, and telemarketers that paid kickbacks and bribes for the orders.
The fraudulent doctors’ orders generated by DMERx falsely represented that a doctor had examined and treated the Medicare beneficiaries when in fact purported telemedicine companies paid doctors to sign the orders without regard to medical necessity, based only on a brief telephone call with the beneficiary or no interaction with the beneficiary at all. The DME suppliers and pharmacies that paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for these doctors’ orders billed Medicare and other insurers more than $1 billion. Medicare and the insurers paid more than $360 million based on these claims. According to evidence presented at trial, Cox and his co-conspirators concealed the scheme through sham contracts and by eliminating from doctors’ orders what one co-conspirator described as “dangerous words” that might cause Medicare to audit the scheme’s DME suppliers.
“The defendant orchestrated a scheme to defraud government health care benefit programs on a massive scale, creating fraudulent doctors’ orders used to bill insurers over $1 billion,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Americans are all too familiar with junk mail and spam calls that target seniors to steal their personal information and promote waste, fraud, and abuse in our economy. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively prosecute health care fraud schemes to hold criminals accountable, protect the vulnerable, and recover financial losses.”
“Fraud schemes perpetrated against veterans are abhorrent and will be thoroughly investigated,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to combat these schemes to ensure the integrity of VA’s healthcare programs for veterans and their families.”
“The defendant deliberately exploited the federal health care system by prioritizing personal enrichment over the medical needs of vulnerable patients,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “By fraudulently billing the government for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, the defendant not only violated the law but also assaulted the public’s trust placed in health care providers. There is zero tolerance for those who abuse federal health care programs, and HHS-OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that individuals who engage in such egregious fraud are held fully accountable.”
“Medicare fraud and other health care related frauds are, unfortunately, nothing new,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark McCormick of the FBI Miami Field Office. “As such, the FBI and our partners devote considerable resources to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those committing this fraud. The victims are U.S. taxpayers – you and me. Our message to those who commit health care fraud and steal from U.S. taxpayers is clear: you will be caught, and you will face justice.”
Cox was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, three counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and make false statements in connection with health care matters. Cox faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud conviction, 10 years for each health care fraud conviction, five years for the conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks conviction, and five years for the conspiracy to defraud the United States and make false statements in connection with health care matters conviction. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
HHS-OIG, FBI, VA-OIG, and DCIS investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Jennifer E. Burns of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Andrea Savdie and Shane Butland assisted in the prosecution. Trial Attorney Evan N. Schlom with the Fraud Section’s Special Matters Unit provided valuable assistance.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso. USCBP Flickr Public image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
El PASO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Ysleta Port of Entry seized 27.1 pounds of cocaine on June 2.
The narcotics were hidden in a pickup truck being driven by a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen. This seizure is in addition to the 20.1 pounds of cocaine seized May 28 at the same port of entry.
“Once again our CBP Officers have demonstrated their vigilance in stopping dangerous, addictive narcotics from entering our country,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnie Gomez. “This is the second significant seizure of cocaine at the same port of entry in one week and underscores why our CBP officers train so diligently to find hidden contraband trying be smuggled into the United States.”
A Silverado pickup truck with the adult male driver coming from Mexico arrived at the Ysleta Port of Entry at 6:46 a.m. and was selected for secondary inspection. During the low energy portal scan anomalies were discovered in the truck in the form of brown packages in the truck. The content of the packages was tested and proved positive for cocaine.
CBP officers arrested the man. He was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges under 21 U.S. Code § 952 – importation of controlled substances. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has accepted the case for prosecution.
After facing loss and mental health challenges, STC student John Haugland has not only found healing through higher education, he’s discovered a powerful new purpose: to create lasting change in the world around him. STC Image
Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
After facing loss and mental health challenges, South Texas College student John Haugland has not only found healing through higher education, but he’s also discovered a powerful new purpose – to create lasting change in the world around him.
Currently serving as the newest Undergraduate Student Representative on the board of the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (AACS), a nonprofit, professional organization that promotes the application of social scientific knowledge, the 24-year-old is set to graduate from STC soon, but his impact is already being felt nationwide.
Haugland is part of a national champion team that recently made history by making STC the first two-year institution ever to win the AACS Student Problem-Solving Competition.
“That’s the true purpose of applied and clinical Sociology really, to create solutions. It’s not just about studying problems, it’s about understanding why they exist and how we can fix them,” he explained. “It gives us the tools to look at systems, environments and relationships and then intervene in ways that actually help people.”
Their proposal—developed for Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and focused on helping children reconnect with their incarcerated parents, supporting rehabilitation and breaking cycles of generational trauma—is now being recognized as a potential national model for reform.
“I hope our work can help reconnect many children with their parents, because those relationships truly matter. Even if someone has struggled with addiction or made mistakes, they’re still human and their kids still need them,” he said. “Rebuilding those bonds can stop the cycle of trauma and violence. We say we want rehabilitation. This is how we do it.”
The Houston native draws strength from his own trauma, having come a long way from a past marked by grief and addiction. After losing his mother at 21, he struggled with alcoholism and was consumed by overwhelming thoughts of hopelessness.
“We moved to the Rio Grande Valley to be close to my mother’s side of the family while she was battling her illness,” he said. “When she passed, it was tough. I found myself working graveyard shifts at a convenience store, wondering what the point of life even was.”
Labeled by family and friends as “wasted potential,” he knew something had to change.
In 2023, he took a bold step toward a new beginning by enrolling in STC’s Sociology program, choosing the applied and clinical sociology track to help others heal, just as he was learning to heal himself.
“I always knew I wanted to go to college. It was something I kept telling myself had to happen. While working those long shifts alone, I’d think, ‘There has to be something better,’” he shared. “During therapy at Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, someone recommended STC and told me their Sociology program was one of the best in the country. They were right. This place changed my life.”
Haugland went on to become one of the top students in his program, earning multiple recognitions and accolades along the way. He founded STC’s Ethics Bowl team, a national competition where students debate real-world ethical dilemmas and as president of the Sociology Club for two consecutive semesters, he didn’t just find his voice, he found a community that believed in him.
“STC’s Sociology program is an incredible opportunity that truly prepares you for a career,” he said. “You work directly with AACS, so you’re not just learning theory, you’re building real-world connections and developing a project to solve real-world issues. If you apply yourself, you can’t help but move forward.”
With a renewed outlook on life, Haugland is now preparing to continue his education, with plans to pursue both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Philosophy.
Fueled by purpose and passion, he also dreams of one day becoming a published author.
“I want to go to graduate school and focus on writing, whether it’s fiction, social commentary or research, there are so many directions I could take,” he said. “I’ve also thought about teaching and returning to STC one day as a professor. I just hope I’ve left behind a strong foundation with the Ethics Bowl team, something that continues to inspire others to create real social change. But now, I’m ready for what’s next. STC was the beginning and I’ll always be grateful for how it helped me.”
The City of Edinburg announced that Daniel Vera, Director of Information Technology, has been nationally recognized by Government CIO Outlook as one of the Top 10 City Government IT Directors for 2025. Courtesy images
Texas Border Business
\EDINBURG, Texas – The City of Edinburg announced that Daniel Vera, Director of Information Technology, has been nationally recognized by Government CIO Outlook as one of the Top 10 City Government IT Directors for 2025. Vera’s innovative leadership and transformative contributions to municipal technology are being featured in both the print and digital editions of the respected industry publication.
Vera brings over 20 years of experience to his role. His career began in web development and advanced into systems administration before his appointment as IT Director seven years ago. A graduate of the University of Texas-Pan American with a degree in computer science, he is known for blending technical excellence with a collaborative leadership style.
“Get your foot in the door, stay curious, ask questions, take on challenges, embrace every learning opportunity, and stay humble. That mindset is the key,” Vera shared in his feature article, reflecting on his professional journey.
Under Vera’s direction, the City of Edinburg’s IT Department has become a pillar of digital innovation, cybersecurity, and infrastructure resilience. Today, he leads a team of 19 highly skilled professionals who develop and support the City’s digital services, improve operational efficiency, and ensure a secure, modern IT environment that serves the needs of residents, businesses, and city staff.
“Daniel’s leadership has positioned Edinburg at the forefront of municipal technology,” said Mayor Ramiro Garza. “His forward-thinking strategies and dedication to service exemplify what it means to lead with purpose and vision.”
In the feature, titled From Code to Command in IT, Vera discusses the evolution of his career, the importance of mentorship, and his department’s ongoing commitment to innovation and community-focused solutions. The City of Edinburg congratulates Vera on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his continued contributions to building a smarter, more connected Edinburg.
“For the last six-plus years, it has been my incredible honor to serve as your County Judge, and, along with our County Commissioners, we have made meaningful progress while being faced with unprecedented and historic challenges,” Cortez said. Courtesy images
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez will be seeking a third term as Hidalgo County Judge, he announced Thursday.
“For the last six-plus years, it has been my incredible honor to serve as your County Judge, and, along with our County Commissioners, we have made meaningful progress while being faced with unprecedented and historic challenges,” Cortez said.
“We have not reached our full potential and there is still much work to be done. That is why I am announcing my candidacy for re-election. Despite our challenges, we have seized opportunities. We have finished building your magnificent courthouse, increased our jail capacity, made major drainage improvements, built roads, constructed a state-of-the-art bio-safety laboratory and significantly increased our fund balance,” Cortez said.
“To reach our full potential, we must act as a major economic hub by developing strategic alliances to diversify our economy and develop a strong workforce to serve the modern businesses and attract outside investment,” he said.
“The challenges and opportunities of tomorrow demand experience and leadership,” Cortez said. “I humbly ask for your continued trust and support. Together we can keep moving forward.”
Gerardo Cantu Hernández and family. Courtesy image
Texas Border Business
Mega Doctor News
Diagnosed at just 4 months of age, Gerardo Cantu Hernández was one of the first patients at the Vannie E. Cook Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic. Gerardo was diagnosed in 2001 with bilateral retinoblastoma, in 2016 with osteosarcoma of the right tibia, and in 2019 with osteosarcoma of the skull. Despite the odds, Gerardo beat cancer each time.
June is recognized as National Cancer Survivors Month.
Gerardo grew up at the Vannie Cook Clinic and witnessed firsthand the impact that nurses and medical staff have on the lives of their patients. He decided to dedicate his life to returning that same level of care he grew up knowing.
Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant Angel Brahayan Guerrero-Gallegos is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during June if the tip is received this month. Photo: Texas DPS
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrant Angel Brahayan Guerrero-Gallegos is this month’s Featured Fugitive. The reward for information leading to his arrest is increased to $4,000 during June if the tip is received this month.
Angel Brahayan Guerrero-Gallegos, 27, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, has been wanted by authorities out of Johnson Co. since May 2024 for a probation violation stemming from a prior conviction for assault causing bodily injury. Additionally, in September 2024, the Fort Worth Police Department issued warrants for his arrest for two counts of indecency with a child by exposure.
Funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders or Criminal Illegal Immigrants. So far in 2025, DPS and other agencies have arrested 31 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants, including eight sex offenders and nine criminal illegal immigrants—with $25,000 in rewards being paid for tips that yielded arrests.
To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods:
Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “About” section).
All tips are anonymous—regardless of how they are submitted—and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.
DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants Lists. You can find the current lists—with photos—on the DPS website.
Beginning in June, all four splash pads will continue to operate Friday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce updated summer hours for the city’s four splash pads, giving families and children even more opportunities to beat the heat and enjoy safe, outdoor fun during the warmest months of the year.
Beginning in June, all four splash pads will continue to operate Friday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. In addition, to provide greater access throughout the week, each day from Monday to Thursday, one splash pad will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The locations will rotate daily, ensuring that at least one splash pad is open every day in different areas of the city.
Monday: Curtis Park – 301 E. Hackberry Ave.
Tuesday: Palm View Park – 3401 Jordan Rd. W.
Wednesday: McAllen Youth Baseball Complex – 8201 N. 29th St.
Thursday: Zinnia Park – 5201 N. 29th St.
“We’re excited to offer extended hours at our splash pads, giving families even more opportunities to enjoy this fun, family-friendly amenity,” said Denny A. Meline, Director of Parks & Recreation. “It’s a wonderful way for kids to stay active, have fun, and cool off during the summer.”
Each of McAllen’s splash pads offers a vibrant and interactive water play experience, featuring fun elements such as water sprayers, fountains, tipping buckets, and ground geysers. These colorful play areas are designed to keep children of all ages cool, active, and entertained.
All splash pads are free and open to the public, making them a perfect summer outing for families. Guests are encouraged to bring towels, sunscreen, and water shoes, and to follow posted safety guidelines for a safe and enjoyable visit. The updated schedule will remain in effect through the end of summer.
For more information about the splash pads and other summer programming, please contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department at 956-681-3320 or visit www.mcallenparks.net
Follow the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook or Instagram @mcallenparks.
Jorge A. Torres, president of Interlink Trade Services. Courtesy image’ Bgd for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Recent changes to U.S. tariff provisions significantly transform the daily operations of customs brokers, importers, and exporters. With new duties applied to a wide range of products and stricter regulations regarding the origin and composition of goods, customs compliance has evolved from a technical task into a highly strategic process. Jorge A. Torres, president of Interlink Trade Services and a licensed U.S. customs broker, provided an in-depth analysis during his presentation at Index Reynosa on June 4, 2025.
“We are facing an unprecedented tariff enforcement environment,” Torres explained. “Customs brokers must now evaluate not only the tariff classification but also whether a product contains steel or aluminum, qualifies under the USMCA, or even whether its export occurred within a specific date range.” This level of detail has increased entry processing times, sometimes exceeding two hours per transaction.
Currently, Section 301tariffs are affecting imports from China and IEEPA Reciprocal tariffs are significantly affecting imports from all countries. Additionally, under Section 232, products such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts are subject to a 25% tariff, set to double to 50% for steel and aluminum products starting June 4. “This not only raises product costs but also the operational costs of customs processing,” Torres warned.
Chapter 99 of the HTSUS contains the applicable provisions for these tariffs, including temporary exclusions and special conditions. “Knowing the base provisions isn’t enough,” Torres clarified. “You must determine if the product qualifies for an exception, if it’s in transit, or if it comes from countries like Mexico or Canada under the USMCA. The order in which these provisions are reported also affects how duties are calculated.” The need to declare multiple tariff codes per entry line—once just one or two, now up to eight—demands accuracy and continuous attention to CBP bulletins (CSMS).
Torres also pointed out that the pressure on customs brokers has increased staffing needs and system upgrades, such as ABI Software modifications. “We’ve had to invest in technology and training just to meet these requirements without compromising efficiency,” he noted. Communication with clients is crucial: “Importers must know exactly what they are bringing in and provide accurate information about product composition, origin, and applicable exclusions. We can’t just write down ‘whatever’ on an official entry.”
Also, the processing of customs entries has gone back to manual input instead of EDI (electronic data interchange transmissions). An entry could be processed in 5 minutes or less with the EDI process. Now, with the manual processing of these additional provisions, it can take up to 2 hours to process. This definitely delays the border crossing time of shipments coming from Mexico (and other countries as well).
To mitigate the financial impact of these tariffs, Torres recommended strategies such as using Foreign Trade Zones, bonded warehouses, and In-Bond transportation. He also suggested leveraging free trade agreements like USMCA and the HTSUS Chapter 98 provisions, which allow duty-free imports in specific cases. “Another tool is the drawback program, which refunds duties on goods that are exported or destroyed—though there are specific restrictions for IMMEX companies,” he added.
In terms of preparation, Torres emphasized the importance of reviewing the adequacy of importer bonds, participating in programs like ACH and Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) for duty and tariff payment, and most importantly, staying informed through official sources. “Do not make decisions based on social media or mainstream media,” he cautioned. “The only valid sources are the White House, the Federal Register, and CBP’s CSMS.”
Finally, Torres stressed that the current environment requires a collaborative mindset. “We’re all in the same boat,” he said. “Patience and cooperation are essential because we’re all learning how to navigate these new requirements together.” The so-called “tariff fatigue” is real, he concluded, but it can be managed with planning, expert advice, and ongoing communication.
Contact Jorge A. Torres, President of Interlink Trade Services and a licensed U.S. Customs Broker, for assistance regarding U.S. tariff changes and international trade compliance.
For general inquiries, you can also reach Interlink Trade Services at info@interlinktrade.com.
Mr. Torres brings over 30 years of experience in customs brokerage and international trade, focusing on compliance strategies under evolving U.S. trade policies. He has been a featured speaker at numerous industry events, including a recent presentation at Index Reynosa on June 4, 2025, discussing the impact of recent tariff changes on customs operations.
For more information about Interlink Trade Services and their offerings, please visit their website: www.interlinktrade.com.
