LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - More than 400 members of a special tactical unit left military bases in Houston and Fort Worth to work with Border Patrol agents.

Although service members are currently in Laredo, the city’s Mayor, Dr. Victor Trevino, anticipates additional troops will be arriving, with the big question being, “How soon that will happen?”

Over 1,000 troops arrived at the San Diego Border as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on the situation along the southern border yesterday, January 28.

On Monday, January 27, Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued an order to send state troops from major Texas cities to the border.

Additionally, President of the Laredo Border Patrol Union, Hector Garza, confirmed that National Guard troops have been deployed during both the Biden Administration and Trump’s first term.

In previous years, troops have helped the agency by using cameras, monitoring the border and providing technical support in mechanics.

While the exact amount of how many troops will be arriving in Laredo remains unclear, Trevino says the additional help is only to aid the agents.

Stating, “This is just an added amount of National Guard elements that will be here in Laredo and will collaborate with our Border Patrol to assist them. They will not have any direct action on immigrants, they will serve as support. Now, these elements that are coming to Laredo will probably be able to demonstrate a show of force.“

Trevino advises the public that our community must cooperate with federal laws as they develop, which could mean deportations for undocumented migrants.

Garza says that these deportations are based on targeted enforcement; however, those who are found to be living in the U.S. without documentation could be subject to deportation.

As of today, January 29, Abbott issued an order directing state agencies to coordinate with the Trump Administration on border and homeland security, one of which included working with the Texas military to assist in securing the border.

In a separate article, we hear from the National Border Patrol Council about how this action will help the Border Patrol

WEBB/ZAPATA COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - Under President Donald Trump’s executive order to secure the border, he is moving forward with constructing barriers to control the flow of migrants.

Parts of the wall have been going up along the southern border for nearly a decade. KGNS spoke to a landowner along the river about the impact a border wall would have on his property.

The land is Santo Nino Ranch, described as a quiet and peaceful place in South Texas. Its location very unique, being between the Webb and Zapata County line, and next to the Rio Grande River.

The land owner, Joseph Hein, says the ranch has been in his family for almost 100 years. The ranch is a place to spend time with family and friends, as well as his family’s source of income.

“I breed and raise appaloosas registered appaloosas,” Hein mentioned. Eventually, rumors started going around about the construction of a border wall on the southern border right after President Trump took office for the first time in 2016.

One day, he received a call from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “They were asking if they could come to the ranch and see if it can take a wall,” Hein added.

Hein says once they got to the ranch, they decided the wall could be built on his road, cutting his access to the river.

He mentioned that “They were going to try to find a way to correct the damages done by the wall, which implies that they were going to help me find a source of water.”

By the end of 2020, no wall had been built, but a new plan was on the table according to Hein. “Everything they had told me originally had changed. What they were telling me was that I was going to have to put up with what they were going to determine, and they didn’t have to compensate me or find an alternative source of water. That would have to be left up to the courts.”

The possibility of the government using eminent domain made Hein worry. His ranch would be split, one side wouldn’t have a water supply, while the area closest to the river would prevent animals from eating coastal grass for their nutritional value.

He added, “The property would have been drastically affected, I would not be able to have domestic animals or wildlife. Because without water, you don’t have life.”

Former President Biden later paused the construction of the border wall in January 2021. Shortly after Biden’s decision, the state came knocking on the door with their proposal.

Hein says the state reached out to build the Texas border wall after Governor Greg Abbott signed a border security bill in September 2021.

Noting, “They wanted to cooperate to find alternative sources of water and we did a lot of talking and they listened to me. Then they did the feasibility study and I stopped hearing from them.”

Currently, there are six different counties where the Texas border wall is being built, including Webb and Zapata County. However, with Trump coming into office for a second term, people like Hein are unsure what will happen.

“I am hoping that if it does have to come, I’m hoping it doesn’t, but if it does happen, I hope it comes from the state because they at least allow me to have choices that will make the ranch workable like the way it is now,” Hein said.

At the moment, it’s unclear whether ranchers have an option for the border wall and who is set to build it.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A new order from Trump’s administration removed a Biden-era policy that prevented immigration officials from making arrests near sensitive areas such as schools.

The new order has sparked concerns in school districts nationwide, including here in Laredo.

One Laredo resident and parent, Jesus Perez, shared his thoughts about the possibility of ICE agents entering schools or churches to arrest parents and or students who may be undocumented.

Mentioning, “The current immigration situation is delicate. The United States has the right to exercise the law as stipulated. Just as people, therefore, have the right to seek a better life. The same goes for students, children and teens who are in school trying to prepare for a better life.”

The new order is sparking uneasiness for many students, parents and teachers across the nation as well as here in Laredo.

According to United ISD Board of Trustees President, Javier Montemayor, “There is a lot of concern from students. They ask, ‘Is this how it’s going to be?, is the school gonna be raided? and am I gonna be deported?, are my parents going to be deported if I go to school and there’s nobody home when I get back?‘, all those questions are looming.”

Montemayor says that while the district is planning to comply with any immigration orders that may arise, he assures students are protected under federal law.

Adding, “The Supreme Court has always guaranteed that the child’s education, regardless of immigration, status from pre-k to 12th grade. We’re going to be operating that way unless you have a subpoena or valid court order, we will not be releasing any information.”

As of January 28, there have been no reports of ICE officials going to schools here in Laredo. Both school districts, Laredo and United ISD say that they have provided teachers with guidance if ICE officials should enter their campus.

In a statement sent to KGNS by LISD, the district advised parents that they would keep their parents informed of any developments.

At UISD, Public Engagement Specialist Brenda Medina Moreno assures parents and students that the district is available to help.

Stating, “We understand that some students may be feeling uneasy upon hearing about this, so we have our counselors that are going to be well prepared to be able to support those students and their families if need be.“

While uncertainty remains on future immigration policies President Trump will impose, Laredoan Jesus Perez, advises the community to take it a day at a time.

Mentioning, “It is a very big concern because, well, living with that fear, I think it is not a good life.”

UISD is planning to discuss topics related to immigration with campus and administrators during its next leadership meeting.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a major drug shipment last Friday, January 24, at the World Trade Bridge.

During a routine inspection, officers referred a 2003 Volvo 760, which was transporting industrial machinery, for secondary screening.

Upon further examination, authorities uncovered nearly 900 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, valued at over $8 million.

CBP immediately seized the narcotics, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents have taken over the case. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the source and destination of the shipment.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a chase that left one person dead just before the weekend.

The incident occurred on Friday, January 24, when a 2020 Dodge Ram pick-up truck that had been reported stolen out of Live Oak, Texas allegedly avoided a Border Patrol checkpoint along I-35.

A DPS trooper tried pulling over the vehicle, but after the driver refused, a chase began. It continued until the driver of the truck reportedly lost control and hit a metal guardrail near Mile Marker 59.

The truck rolled over and six undocumented immigrants were caught, however, one person was believed to have been killed in the accident.

The alleged driver, 21-year-old Arnulfo Vazque Longoria, from Mexico, was arrested and taken to the La Salle County Jail on multiple charges.

The crash is still under investigation, and the name of the person who died has not yet been released

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing two pit bulls that he says attacked his own dog. Laredo police arrested 33-year-old Jesus Alberto De La Cruz and charged him with discharging a firearm.

The incident happened on Sunday, January 26, around 11:30 a.m. at a home on 1617 Rene Solis Drive. Police say a man let his dog into his backyard when two pit bulls came through a small opening in the fence and attacked his dog.

De La Cruz then brought his dog inside and allegedly shot and killed both attacking pit bulls.

Both dead pit bulls were taken by Laredo Animal Care Services, and De La Cruz was taken to the Webb County Jail. Police say no one has claimed the dead pit bulls.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Several raids took place over the weekend as part of President Trump’s promise to start the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division confirmed their help in the operations on Monday, January 27.

The DEA said they assisted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with targeted actions on Sunday, January 26. Raids were carried out in cities including Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Brownsville, Laredo, and McAllen.

According to ICE officials, 956 arrests were made, with 50 of those in Colorado. These individuals are reportedly part of the Venezuelan gang “Tren de Aragua,” which has been deemed a terrorist organization by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Government sources also say that an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are in charge of the operation.