Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
On October 9, 2022, Gloria I. Chavez officially assumed command of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector, following a long career with the agency. A native of Brownsville, Texas, Chavez brought more than 27 years of experience to the role. She had previously served as Chief Patrol Agent in the Spokane, El Centro, and El Paso sectors, in addition to holding senior assignments at Border Patrol headquarters.
Chavez’s leadership in one of the busiest and most strategically significant sectors of the southern border was confirmed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) channels in late 2022. At the time, the agency noted her “extensive operational expertise and dedication to border security.”
On August 2, 2025, local media outlets reported that Jason E. Schneider had been named Acting Chief Patrol Agent for the RGV Sector, replacing Chavez. According to regional coverage, the transition occurred without a formal public announcement by CBP. Chavez’s name and photo were reportedly removed from the RGV Sector’s official social media platforms shortly after the change. As of August 4, no official CBP statement has explained the reason for the leadership change.
The timing of Chavez’s departure follows earlier public reporting on an internal ethics review involving her and another Border Patrol official. In May 2024, multiple national news organizations disclosed that Chavez and U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens had been under investigation for attending a private event in Jalisco, Mexico, hosted by tequila magnate Francisco Javier González. According to those reports, the event included discussions about producing a CBP-branded tequila as part of the agency’s centennial celebrations.
The same reports stated that Chavez and Owens allegedly failed to file the appropriate ethics disclosures before participating in the gathering. The proposed tequila collaboration was suspended. At the time, CBP issued a statement emphasizing its stance on accountability: “CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and remains committed to maintaining the public trust. The agency is reviewing the matter in accordance with established procedures.”
As of August 2025, there have been no public findings, disciplinary actions, or official conclusions released in connection with that ethics inquiry. CBP has not responded to inquiries regarding whether the leadership change in the RGV Sector is related to the prior investigation or other internal personnel matters.
Local media have described Chavez’s departure as “abrupt” and noted the absence of a clear explanation. No press release or public documentation has addressed whether the reassignment was part of a scheduled personnel rotation, a performance-related issue, or connected to the 2024 inquiry.
What is known is that Chavez began her tenure as RGV Chief in October 2022 and was no longer serving in that role as of early August 2025. Acting Chief Jason E. Schneider is now listed as the head of the sector. What remains unknown is why the transition occurred or whether it reflects broader disciplinary or administrative decisions within CBP leadership.
CBP has not issued further comments, and no updates have appeared on official channels as of this report.
