Oscar Adilio Sanchez-Rivera plead guilty on March 4, 2025, to the assault charges. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Sanchez-Rivera to 36 months in federal prison. He is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – A 21-year-old Salvadoran national has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for assaulting a Border Patrol agent.
Oscar Adilio Sanchez-Rivera plead guilty on March 4, 2025, to the assault charges. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Sanchez-Rivera to 36 months in federal prison. He is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
The incident occurred on November 1, 2024, during a traffic stop in Rio Grande City when Sanchez-Rivera disclosed his immigration status to authorities. When the Border Patrol agent attempted to place him in a vehicle, Sanchez-Rivera resisted arrest by striking the agent in the face and grabbing the agent’s finger causing a fracture requiring surgery.
Sanchez-Rivera fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by authorities.
Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez of the Rio Grande Valley Sector emphasized the serious consequences of attacking federal agents. “Our Border Patrol agents risk their lives every day to secure our nation’s borders. Any assault on our agents is an assault on the safety and security of our communities,” said Chief Chavez. “This sentence demonstrates that violence against law enforcement will be met with the full force of the law.”
“I don’t see the work of DOGE being finished, but rather being the starting place.” –Senator Cornyn
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and highlighted how Congress can carry on its legacy of reining in frivolous spending through the One Big Beautiful Bill, rescissions package, and annual appropriations process. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“I don’t see the work of DOGE being finished, but rather being the starting place.”
“The DOGE recommendations now embraced within this rescissions package cuts millions of dollars for Green New Deal style programs not in America, but around the world.”
“The bill rescinds $6 million appropriated for net zero cities in Mexico, a half a million dollars for electric busses in Rwanda, and $2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa.”
“It rescinds $4 million for Legume Systems Research and $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street.”
“We also have savings opportunities in the big, beautiful bill. Things like eliminating the Inflation Reduction Act, which was inappropriately named.”
“The third means by which we are going to begin this process of controlling our out-of-control spending in our national debt is the appropriations process.”
“While we often think of the appropriations process as strictly a spending process, it does not have to be that way. We can also use this appropriations process to enact further spending reductions.”
“I hope the House and Senate will take full advantage of each of these three opportunities to begin the process of reducing our deficit and debt.”
“While the formal Department of Government Efficiency Task Force may have concluded, the work of DOGE lives on.”
“As a founding member of the DOGE caucus, I’ll keep doing my part, along with all of my colleagues, to bend the spending curve, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us in that effort, particularly by passing this rescissions package, and then eventually in the coming weeks, the big, beautiful bill.”
These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same privileges, in direct conflict with federal law. Images: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Texas Border Business
U.S. Department of Justice
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States is challenging two decades-old Texas laws providing in-state tuition for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens, who are not afforded the same privileges, in direct conflict with federal law. On Wednesday, June 4, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the Northern District of Texas against the State of Texas and many Texas officials seeking to enjoin the officials from enforcing the Texas laws and bring them into compliance with federal requirements.
In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of Texas laws that require colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain Texas residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Federal law prohibits institutions of higher education from providing benefits to aliens that are not offered to U.S. citizens. The Texas laws blatantly conflict with federal law and are thus in conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
“Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Attorney General Bondi. “The Justice Department will relentlessly fight to vindicate federal law and ensure that U.S. citizens are not treated like second-class citizens anywhere in the country.”
This lawsuit follows two executive orders recently signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment. The first, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” orders all agencies to “ensure, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.” The second, “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens,” directs relevant officials to “take appropriate action to stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens.”
“There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers. Anyone who thinks they can come to America and advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here. We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”– Secretary Noem. Image for illustration purposes
This urgent crackdown comes after authorities arrested 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Solima for setting at least eight Americans on fire in a shocking terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado. Solima is an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa in the U.S. and remained in the country unlawfully since 2022. Soliman faces federal hate crime and multiple state felony charges.
“There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers. Anyone who thinks they can come to America and advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here. We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”– Secretary Noem
Packages containing 363 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge. USCBP image
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seized cocaine that totaled over $4,800,000 in street value.
“This cocaine seizure at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge highlights CBP’s commitment and the vital role of advanced technology in our daily operations,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “By utilizing nonintrusive inspection systems and intelligence-driven targeting, our Laredo team continues to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics, in turn protecting our communities.”
The seizure occurred on Tuesday, June 3 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2013 empty Fontaine trailer for secondary inspection. Following a canine and nonintrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 149 packages containing 363 pounds of alleged cocaine within the trailer.
The narcotics have an estimated street value of $4,851,052.
CBP seized the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure.
To lower student costs and promote equal access to education, South Texas College Assistant Professor of Mathematics Veronica Dominguez is leading the way with the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in her classrooms. STC image
Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
To lower student costs and promote equal access to education, South Texas College Assistant Professor of Mathematics Veronica Dominguez is leading the way with the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) in her classrooms.
OER is full course curricula, course materials, modules, textbooks, media, assessments, software and any other tools, materials or techniques used to support access to knowledge, that comes at no cost to the student.
Since 2018, Dominguez has integrated free digital textbooks, online tools and open-access materials into her math courses, removing a major barrier for students—cost.
“We use textbooks that are available through PDFs or links and tools such as a free online graphing calculator, that are available for free,” said Dominguez. “These resources help keep expenses low for students.”
Dominguez believes that using OER is not only about saving money, but also about ensuring every student has equal footing from day one.
“Students should enroll in OER courses because it keeps costs down and supports equity,” she said. “They don’t have to wait for financial aid or a paycheck. They have everything they need to succeed on the first day of class and free of charge.”
Starting small, she began incorporating OER one class at a time. As she gained confidence and saw the positive impact, she expanded its use to most of her courses with the goal of transitioning all her classes to OER-based materials.
“There is a learning curve, especially for non-traditional students,” Dominguez said. “But I work closely with them, offering help before and after class and during office hours to make sure they’re comfortable with the platforms. I provide as much support as I can so they can be as successful as other students who are more familiar with the platforms.”
For students who prefer physical copies, she provides flexibility.
“I tell returning students to give it a try. If they’re still uncomfortable, they can always purchase the textbook. My goal is to support their success in ways that work for them,” she said
Through her work with OER, Dominguez is helping to make higher education more affordable, equitable and accessible one math class at a time.
Packages containing 34.03 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry. USCBP image
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Laredo Port of Entry this weekend seized alleged methamphetamine that totaled more than $312,000 in street value.
“As we begin to see increased traffic as local schools let out for the summer, our frontline CBP officers maintained their vigilance and stopped a significant load of methamphetamine,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo City Port of Entry. “Continued enforcement activity such as this seizure illustrates the effectiveness of our border security mission and helps keep our communities safe.”
The seizure occurred on June 1 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 45-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a Chevy Suburban for secondary inspection. There, CBP officers discovered 15 packages containing a total of 34.03 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the vehicle.
The narcotics have a street value of $312,188.
CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation.
Medicaid allows some of the nation’s most vulnerable residents to obtain needed health care, thus improving the lives of individuals and families. Image for illustration purposes
\Texas Border Business
Dr. M. Ray Perryman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group. Courtesy Image
Medicaid allows some of the nation’s most vulnerable residents to obtain needed health care, thus improving the lives of individuals and families. Without insurance coverage, many people will postpone needed appointments or even forego essential treatments. The inevitable result is worse health outcomes and even higher death rates as manageable problems escalate. Empirical evidence suggests that increasing Medicaid coverage improves health and reduces mortality rates. In fact, life expectancy is extended by more than a year for those with coverage.
In addition to the avoidable and adverse health consequences to the affected people and families, reducing health insurance coverage involves significant economic and fiscal losses. While many hospitals and clinics provide treatment to the uninsured, there is a substantial cost to be borne by the taxpayers who subsidize uncompensated care and those with insurance who face higher premiums to offset these expenses.
As the number of insured persons falls, health-related spending also decreases, reducing business activity in communities across the country. At a time when many hospitals and nursing care facilities are struggling to remain financially viable, particularly in smaller population centers and rural areas, higher numbers of uninsured will only exacerbate and compound these problems. In addition, higher morbidity and mortality result in fewer workers, more absenteeism, less productivity, shorter work lives, and other inefficiencies which minimize economic performance.
The current incarnation of the federal budget bill, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives, if ultimately implemented in its present form, involves significant changes to Medicaid which would significantly reduce the numbers of people covered over time. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that, by 2034, some 7.6 million more Americans would be uninsured due to the proposed provisions.
The economic costs of 7.6 million fewer people having Medicaid coverage will be substantial, with harms spread across the country. We recently estimated the impact of the potential decrease and found that, if the situation persists, losses include $329.2 billion (in 2025$) in annual gross product and almost 3.0 million jobs (including multiplier effects). (Note that these estimates account for the potential offsetting benefit of deploying the saved fiscal resources in other ways.)
Millions of American children and adults lack health insurance, and the proposed reductions will make things worse. Most cannot afford private coverage and find it difficult to obtain basic or preventive care. Medicaid alleviates a substantial portion of this problem and supports the nation’s health care system, thus enhancing sustainability while providing a significant net economic benefit. Reducing the number of people with health insurance through Medicaid not only makes it harder for Americans to access needed care, but also leads to notable net economic losses that will persist for generations. Stay safe!
_______________________________
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com), which has served the needs of over 3,000 clients over the past four decades.
Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the strongest bail reform package in Texas history at Crime Stoppers of Houston. Photo: Office of The Governor
Texas Border Business
HOUSTON — Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the strongest bail reform package in Texas history at Crime Stoppers of Houston. Joined by dozens of bail reform advocates and families of victims, the Governor signed Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, House Bill 75, and Senate Joint Resolution 5 to protect Texans by keeping violent, repeat offenders behind bars.
Photo: Office of The Governor
“This session, we confronted a crisis, a revolving door bail system that repeatedly released dangerous criminals back onto the streets,” said Governor Abbott. “To the victims and their families, today your pain is answered. Not only are we signing laws that correct the wrongs, your efforts have led to a rewriting of the Constitution of the State of Texas to ensure criminals like those who harmed your families will never be out on the loose again.”
View the Governor’s full bill signing ceremony here.
The Governor was joined at the bill signing by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Chairwoman Joan Huffman, Chairman John Smithee, Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Makarious, Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services and Advocacy Andy Kahan, and bail reform advocate Aimee Castillo.
Photo: Office of The Governor
Aimee Castillo’s brother, Joshua Sandoval, was murdered by a criminal out on bond for aggravated robbery in Fort Bend County and two more felony bonds in Harris County. Devan Jordan failed to appear in court to have a GPS ankle monitor put on for violating his bond conditions the same day he shot and killed Joshua. After being charged with capital murder, Devan was let out on bond again and murdered Jeffrey Johnson two weeks later.
“We encountered the revolving door at the Harris County Courthouse,” said Ms. Castillo. “There is something deeply, tragically wrong with a system that gives repeat, violent felony offenders chance after chance, while families like mine are given a life sentence of grief. I am proud to have played a small role in getting these bills passed, and I am proud to tell my brother he became a catalyst for change.”
Photo: Office of The Governor
The Governor was also joined by Senator Mayes Middleton, Representative David Cook, Representative Caroline Harris Davila, Representative Lacey Hull, Representative Mitch Little, Representative AJ Louderback, Representative Mary Ann Perez, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman F. Martin, and other state and local officials.
Senate Bill 9 (Huffman/Smithee) gives prosecutors the ability to appeal bad bail decisions made in cases involving the most heinous crimes and repeat felons. This bill also ensures only elected judges may reduce the amount or conditions of a bail set by an elected judge.
Senate Bill 40 (Huffman/Smithee) prohibits the use of public funds to pay a nonprofit organization that will then post bail for criminals.
House Bill 75 (Smithee/Huffman) ensures transparency in the initial stages of a criminal case, requiring magistrates provide a written explanation on why they determined an arrest was made without probable cause.
Senate Joint Resolution 5 (Huffman/Smithee) is a constitutional amendment that will require a judge to deny bail to a defendant charged with the most heinous crimes — such as rape, murder, human trafficking — when the state proves the defendant is a threat to public safety or will not show up for trial.
In his 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Abbott declared bail reform an emergency item this legislative session.
In its latest housing market analysis, financial website SmartAsset.com has ranked McAllen, Texas as the number one best housing market for first-time homebuyers in the nation. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
In its latest housing market analysis, financial website SmartAsset.com has ranked McAllen, Texas as the number one best housing market for first-time homebuyers in the nation. The 2025 study evaluated metro areas across key categories, including affordability, competition, social characteristics, and projected growth – and McAllen once again emerged at the top.
This year’s recognition marks the third consecutive year McAllen has landed in the top five. The city was ranked fourth in 2024 and third in 2023, underscoring a continued trend of excellence in housing accessibility and quality of life for new buyers.
“McAllen is proud to be recognized yet again as a top destination for first-time homebuyers,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “Our community continues to thrive because we focus on making smart investments in infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life — all of which help keep our housing market accessible and attractive.”
According to the study published by MySanAntonio.com, McAllen scored high across the board, with particularly strong marks in affordability and market stability. The city’s median home price remains well below the national average, while job growth and population trends suggest continued economic vitality.
“We’ve worked hard to foster a healthy, sustainable housing environment,” said McAllen City Manager Isaac J. Tawil. “This recognition reaffirms that our policies and long-term planning efforts are paying off, especially for working families and young professionals who are looking to put down roots.”
SmartAsset’s 2025 rankings come at a time when housing affordability remains a major challenge nationwide. McAllen’s ability to buck that trend is a testament to its forward-thinking leadership and collaborative development efforts.
