LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has released dash cam video of a high-speed chase that led to the arrest of three undocumented individuals on Wednesday, December 11.

The video shows a Mercury car speeding through a parking lot in an attempt to evade DPS troopers in the Mines Road area.

The driver, identified as 28-year-old Ruby Martinez of Laredo, was arrested and charged with evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, and human smuggling.

Three undocumented individuals were found in the vehicle and taken into custody.

Martinez was later released on bond.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - With less than two months until President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office, the nation’s immigration system faces potential changes. Amid this uncertainty, dozens of immigrants celebrated a momentous milestone, becoming United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony presided over by Federal Judge Diana Song Quiroga.

For many, the ceremony marked the end of a long and challenging journey.

“Since I had four kids, it was hard for me to give the time to go through the process until now. I said I had to do it,” said Maritza Mondragon, a new U.S. citizen originally from Mexico. “I’ve been here so many years, and I’m very happy.”

Mondragon was one of 69 individuals sworn in as citizens, representing countries such as Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Colombia, and Bulgaria.

“They have to study for a test. They have to go through an interview, and that is after verifying their background, that they have no criminal history and their papers are in order,” Judge Song Quiroga explained. “It’s a very laborious process. This is the culmination of dreams they’ve had as immigrants.”

Amid celebrations, some attendees reflected on what citizenship means to them.

“I left behind my country finding new opportunities and a better quality of life,” said Elvin Perez, a new citizen from Honduras. “I’m very proud to be part of this great nation, to have the right to be a U.S. citizen, and the right to vote. Your voice is the power.”

According to the Migration Policy Institute, over 46 million immigrants live in the United States, with more than 25 million now naturalized citizens. In the 2023 fiscal year, approximately 800,000 immigrants became citizens, a slight decline from the over 900,000 naturalized in 2022 — the highest number in over a decade.

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, his proposed immigration policies could reshape the pathway to citizenship.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A topic not often discussed took center stage at a busy intersection in North Laredo as members of the organization The Bloodstained Men gathered to protest newborn circumcision. Decked out in all white, the group likened the procedure to mutilation.

In the middle of a bustling intersection, just a short distance from a middle school, The Bloodstained Men took a stand against what they deem “child mutilation.” Their protest drew a variety of responses from the Laredo community.

David Atkinson, CEO of The Bloodstained Men, explained their stance: “American doctors are destroying a body part that they do not understand. The foreskin is a normal, healthy, valuable body part.” Atkinson continued, calling circumcision a “serious human rights violation.” He said the group has seen growing support over the years. “We’re seeing a lot more support. The people who were too timid to show support years ago now honk [their horn], and they give us a thumbs up.”

However, not everyone agrees with their message. Samuel De Los Santos, a resident, voiced a different view, stating, “I think it’s a decision parents should take.” De Los Santos came across the protest from miles away, after spotting a billboard calling the procedure “cruel and harmful.” While he acknowledged that circumcision may not be medically necessary, he believed it is a “hygiene issue.” De Los Santos ultimately believes that all men should undergo the procedure.

David Wilson, a member of The Bloodstained Men, has been advocating against circumcision for over two decades. He criticized the procedure’s supposed benefits, suggesting, “Only if you’re lazy, if you don’t want to get in the shower or the tub and clean yourself, then by all means, cut off your fingernails. You know, your sex organs, while you’re at it, get a colostomy bag.”

Despite these claims, The National Library of Medicine affirms that the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks. These benefits include reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and making hygiene easier.

The issue of consent is central to the debate, with cultural factors playing a significant role in shaping opinions. De Los Santos and others in the community continue to support circumcision as a personal choice, while The Bloodstained Men view it as an infringement on bodily autonomy.

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows a decline in circumcision rates over the years, with only 58% of newborns undergoing the procedure between 1979 and 2010, a 10% drop over 32 years.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - On Tuesday, December 10, a drill took place at Bridge One by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who temporarily put a hold on pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

From Eagle Pass to Del Rio and across southern border cities in the nation, they are a subdivision from CBP, one which the agency says is necessary.

“It can stand from a controlled delivery to an intel-driven operation, and then lead to a high arrest search and arrest warrant,” said Special Operations Supervisor, Albert Renteria.

The team is known as the Special Response Team, also known as SRT.

Similar to the SWAT team, they specialize in handling high-risk situations such as heavy wildfires and rescue operations, but most importantly, they dedicate their service to halting mass migration groups trying to enter the country illegally.

Renteria supervises the Laredo sector squad and says their training is not an easy task.

Noting, “Our training includes advanced firearms training, plain clothes firearms training, active shooter response certifications and mobile field force certification.”

However, these officers are not only stationed in the gateway city but are also tasked with helping other federal agencies like the U.S. Secret Service.

Renteria added, “We have to travel and assist other agencies a lot. Just recently, SRT supported a female with a search and rescue response with hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as the wildfires in New Mexico in July. Currently, SRT has been assisting alongside the U.S. Secret Service at the Mar-a-Lago in Florida.”

To face any potential threat, these officers have periodical drills at one of our international bridges, specifically at Bridge One.

Wearing protective helmets, vests and other equipment, the drill begins with officers marching to the halfway point of the bridge.

They then toss pepper sprays to demonstrate how they are used to scare and back off any potential threats.

As they practice, CBP bridge operations are suspended for several minutes. However, people who wait in line can see the drill.

To become an SRT member, a person must be a CBP officer, complete a three-day selection course and then the National SRT Selection Course in the State of Georgia.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two adults and one minor were arrested following a search of three separate homes.

On Wednesday, December 11, the Laredo Police Department’s SWAT team executed search warrants at three houses, one on Savanna Loop, Tocino Dr. and Palmito Dr.

Police say this stems from a case that was reported on November 30, where two cars were chasing one another, and at one point shots were fired.

Investigator Joe Baeza with Laredo explained some of the items authorities were able to recover.

Mentioning, “These three residences were all connected to the people who identify as part of this investigation. What I’m being told is that there was the recovery of weapons that were used at these locations and the three are facing charges involving engaging in organized criminal activity, felony deadly conduct and felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.“

Currently, the identities of those who have been arrested have not been released.

The case remains under investigation.

WEBB COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - Webb County deputies arrested three people Monday night and recovered two stolen trucks during an operation in Laredo.

Around 7:30 p.m. on December 9, investigators with the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, working on Operation Lone Star, noticed suspicious activity at a parking lot on the 1500 Block of Iturbide Street.

Deputies saw a woman leave a black Ford truck and get into a silver Tahoe. They checked the Ford truck and found it had been reported stolen in San Antonio.

When deputies tried to stop the silver Tahoe, the driver sped off, leading to a chase. Deputies were able to safely stop the vehicle and arrested the driver, Casandra Alvarez, 41. Two passengers, Michael Anthony Gutierrez, 17, and Jorge Antonio Elizondo, 23, were also taken into custody.

Deputies also found another stolen truck, also from San Antonio, in the same parking lot. Both vehicles were recovered.

Charges Filed

• Casandra Alvarez: Evading Arrest with a Vehicle (Felony 3) and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 3).

• Michael Anthony Gutierrez: Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (State Jail Felony) and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 3).

• Jorge Antonio Elizondo: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Felony 3) and a warrant for Robbery (Felony 2) from Tarrant County.

All three suspects are from San Antonio, Texas, and are now in the Webb County Jail.

The sheriff urged anyone with information about suspicious activity to call 956-415-BUST (2878). Cash rewards may be available for tips.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Less than a month ago, after Webb County turned red in the presidential election, KGNS caught up with Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, asking if he would consider switching to the Republican Party. His response at the time was, “Only time will tell.”

Tuesday morning, December 10, Tijerina made it official: after three terms in office as a Democrat, he is switching party lines.

The responses to the news were mixed, with some expressing indifference, while others showed support.

Webb County Democratic Chair Sylvia Bruni was not surprised by Tijerina’s decision. She said the shift was expected given his record in office.

“There’s been a line drawn in the sand, and for anyone who chooses to leave the Democratic Party for convenience’s sake, I think they need to leave. Because that is not the type of Democrat that I want standing by me,” Bruni said.

Bruni also reflected on Tijerina’s stance during his time in office, particularly during the Trump administration. She noted that he often aligned with Republican ideals, especially when it came to border security.

“When Trump was still in office and [Texas Governor Greg] Abbott was coming after us with the threat of the wall, if there was a Democrat who was actually advocating for the wall, it was our county judge,” Bruni said.

She also disagreed with Tijerina’s reasoning for leaving the Democratic Party, particularly his comments about the party focusing too much on the “woke” agenda.

On the other side of the aisle, Webb County Republican Chair Jose Salazar welcomed Tijerina’s decision. Salazar called it an “early Christmas present” for the party.

“We’re hoping that more people will either switch to the Republican Party, just like that state representative from Tampa, just like some months earlier the mayor of Dallas switched to Republican. We’re hoping to recruit people who want to run as Republicans,” Salazar said.

Salazar believes Tijerina has already represented core Republican values, despite his previous affiliation with the Democratic Party. He also doesn’t think Tijerina’s party switch will affect his chances in future elections. Salazar pointed out that many community members hold conservative values, even if they don’t identify with the party.

Salazar added that he was able to speak to Judge Tijerina and congratulate him on his party switch.

Below is the original story:

Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, who has served as a Democrat for three terms, announced Tuesday, December 10, that he is switching to the Republican Party.

In a press release and a Fox News interview, Tijerina explained his decision, saying it was based on a closer alignment with South Texas values and frustration with the national Democrat Party’s shift to the left.

“My decision to switch parties wasn’t made lightly,” Tijerina said. “For years, I’ve watched the national Democrat Party drift further left, embracing policies that don’t reflect the values of our community. This is not about politics; it’s about staying true to my principles and the people of South Texas. The party left me, and the people of South Texas behind.”

Tijerina was first elected in 2015 and ran on a platform of reform and accountability. During his time in office, he worked to lower taxes, improve infrastructure, and create a better business environment.

He said South Texans value faith, family, and hard work, but the national Democrat Party has focused on “woke policies” instead of the needs of families in Webb County.

Tijerina’s switch comes after many Webb County voters supported a Republican president in the 2024 general election, marking a shift in local voting trends. He said he will continue to serve with integrity and focus on the values of South Texas as he joins the Republican Party.

Below is the full press release:

Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina has announced his switch to the Republican Party, citing a closer alignment with South Texas values and frustration with the national Democrat Party’s radical shift. Tijerina emphasized his conviction to stand with a party that upholds faith, family, and hard work.

“My decision to switch parties wasn’t made lightly,” said Tijerina. “For years, I’ve watched the national Democrat Party drift further left, embracing policies that don’t reflect the values of our community. This is not about politics; it’s about staying true to my principles and the people of South Texas. The party left me, and the people of South Texas behind.”

Tijerina was first elected as a Democrat in 2015, running on a platform of reform and accountability. During his three terms, he focused on lowering taxes, improving infrastructure, and fostering a business-friendly environment. Among his key accomplishments are overseeing the construction of Bridge 4/5, advancing efforts to combat domestic violence, and promoting student engagement in local government. Throughout his career, his dedication to faith, family, and service has remained steadfast.

“South Texans are conservative at heart,” Tijerina explained. “We value faith, family, and freedom. Yet the National Democrat Party has turned its back on us, prioritizing woke policies over the needs of the hardworking families in Webb County. From attacking our oil and gas industry to neglecting border security, their agenda doesn’t reflect who we are as a community.”

As Webb County Judge, Tano Tijerina reaffirmed his commitment to serving with integrity and dedication, continuing to prioritize the values of South Texas as he transitions to the Republican Party.