LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - President Donald Trump says his tariffs on both Canada and Mexico could be coming this weekend, as soon as Saturday, February 1.

He announced while signing executive orders in the Oval Office this afternoon, January 30. Trump has previously warned the two nations that he would impose tariffs if the flow of immigrants and shipments of fentanyl into the U.S. didn’t stop.

According to the Associated Press, Trump also said China would pay tariffs for its role in exporting the chemicals that go into making fentanyl.

He has said in the past that they would pay a 10% tariff on top of other import taxes charged on Chinese products. We asked a Laredoan with personal experience in imports and exports, Rick Laurel, about the impact these tariffs could have on the international trade community.

“It’s going to impact it severely, it will bring trade down to a standstill. Meanwhile, everybody will have to adjust, because tariffs are paid for not by the countries that are shipping it, but by the importers here in the United States. That means, for importers and customs brokers, we have bonds that ensure that freight tariffs will be paid to the U.S. government. Right now, we have a certain percentage that we have to carry which has a cost, and if you can imagine, these tariffs go up to 25% or higher than everybody. Importers and customs brokers will have to increase their bond capacity to be able to cover those tariffs. So, it’s not just the importers, it’s gonna affect the trade community in Laredo and the United States. So much so that we’re gonna have to end up getting more bond coverage, which is insurance, to make sure the U.S. government gets paid, which is gonna cost us,” Laurel said.

As for Laredo’s Mayor, Dr. Victo Trevino, he released a statement earlier today that reads:

“I know that President Trump has had some success in changing behavior with the threat of tariffs. But I hope that the executive order on tariffs is more of a negotiation strategy than a policy because the tariffs are ultimately going to be passed on to the American consumer. As the Mayor of the largest port of entry in the western hemisphere, our ability to stay competitive in the world is based on successful trade relationships, and with Mexico being our largest trade partner, we don’t want them looking to make agreements with our global competitors.”

- Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Laredo city worker and another person were arrested Thursday, January 29, after a drug bust at a home on the 1300 block of Reagan Drive.

The Laredo Police Department Narcotics Unit, with help from the Special Operations Group Unit and Patrol Division, carried out a search warrant at the home. During the search, officers detained Miguel Angel Sanchez, 37, a supervisor with the City of Laredo Utilities Department, and Jessica Magana, 37.

Police said officers found 27 grams of a white powdery substance thought to be cocaine, a handgun with ammunition, two digital scales, and five cell phones. The items were seized and logged as evidence.

Sanchez and Magana were taken to police headquarters for questioning. They were later arrested and charged with Manufacturing and Delivering a Controlled Substance, a first-degree felony.

The case is still under investigation.

Statement from the City of Laredo:

“The City of Laredo does not comment on personnel matters. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability in all aspects of city operations.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Juan Manuel Oviedo, 49, was arrested by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) in connection with a burglary at Casa Blanca Golf Course.

After investigating the crime and interviewing witnesses, Oviedo was charged with Burglary of a Building, a State Jail Felony. He was taken to the Webb County Jail and is awaiting bond.

The loss from the burglary is estimated to be around $780.00.

Sheriff Martin Cuellar encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity by calling 956-415-BUST (2878), with the chance to receive a cash reward

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - This week, United ISD’s management team traveled to the Texas State Capitol, meeting with lawmakers and attending a statewide educational conference to address key issues affecting public schools.

During the first part of their visit, district officials engaged with key legislators to emphasize the needs of the district and public schools across Texas. In addition to these meetings, they participated in the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Midwinter Conference, where they were among a select few districts invited to present during a breakout session.

United ISD’s presentation focused on their anti-vaping initiatives, stressing the importance of parental involvement in combating the issue.

“Vapes are disguised in a lot of different ways, and most of the time, when we speak to parents, they tell us, ‘I didn’t know what I was looking for. I had no idea. I had seen that object in my child’s room, backpack, or household and didn’t know it was actually a vape containing contraband,’” said Annette Perez, Director for Discipline Management/Student Relations.

As part of their presentation, district officials also highlighted their Anti-Vaping Task Force, showcasing how they collaborate with local agencies in a community-wide effort to address the issue.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - With the widespread confusion surrounding the now-rescinded freeze, many are thinking about what will happen if it is reinstated in the future.

As for Webb County and the City of Laredo, leaders are working ahead for any changes that could come, depending on several federally funded programs.

According to Webb County Judge, Tano Tijerina, “I had gotten a lot of phone calls within that first hour that the mandate came out. As of what we know right now, nothing is going to get taken. I know everyone was concerned about Head Start, CAA and Meals on Wheels, but I think it’s been established that’s not going to be affected.”

KGNS spoke with Tijerina while the pause was being debated on Wednesday morning, January 29. He’s hopeful vital programs would continue if the Trump Administration were to ever reduce federal funding.

Meanwhile, Laredo’s Mayor, Dr. Victor Trevino, says cuts in federal funding would have meant many agencies shutting down. Trevino released a statement to KGNS going into detail that reads:

“What the elimination of federal grants would mean to Laredo is that the Health Department and other agencies could not sustain themselves. These agencies would have to effectively shut down, which would impact thousands of patients. This would also be a travesty on a large scale for over 200 Laredo health employees, and in a medically underserved community like ours, we would see fewer prevention services and an increase in emergencies at our hospitals.”

- Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino

Laredo’s City Manager Joe Neeb explained that from public safety to roughly 70% of Laredo’s public health initiatives are all dependent on federal dollars. Mentioning, “The nature of what we did, and we would do this at any point in time for the City of Laredo, is that we were ready to cover the cost with some of our reserve funding to keep those services going.”

He estimates millions of federal dollars are spent to keep Laredo’s programs going. Assistant Executive Director of the Laredo Housing Authority, Gustavo Rojo-Buendia, explained their programs focus on providing housing.

“All of our projects are federally funded. We have more than 6 amps, and each one of those properties is federally funded,” Rojo-Buendia said.

While it’s unclear why the freeze happened, the Laredo Housing Attorney, Juan Cruz, believes the pause was likely intended to ensure that services did not go to undocumented immigrants.

Noting, “I think people can expect increased scrutiny under the new administration, and especially the housing agencies across the United States, and of course that could delay provision of services to individuals.”

Regardless, Cruz says Laredo will meet the demands put in place by the current administration. Additionally, Neeb says within the next months adjustments are likely to be made to how the city is funded.

Mentioning, “We have been in preliminary discussions as to how we can make sure that we protect our community from any of the negative impacts that come from that. We are trying to analyze that.”

U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar will be having a Zoom meeting with other elected officials from across District 28 about federal assistance funding on Friday, January 31.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - President Donald Trump is sending thousands of National Guard troops to the southern border amid his crackdown on immigration.

Military units from across the country are reinforcing the U.S.-Mexico border, including here in Laredo. According to Laredo’s Mayor, Dr. Victor Trevino, “This is just an added amount of National Guard elements that will be here in Laredo collaborating with our Border Patrol to assist them.”

Last week, over a thousand troops arrived at the San Diego border as part of Trump’s plan to curb illegal immigration. Additionally, on Monday, January 27, Governor Greg Abbott also issued an order to send state troops from major Texas cities, with 400 soldiers already in the Rio Grande Valley.

While there’s no word on exactly how many troops are coming to Laredo, Trevino believes they will help the Border Patrol by any means necessary. Adding, “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.“

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, helping several areas.

Noting, “Some of these border operations that these military members have helped in the past has been manning cameras, operating observation posts along the border and assisted in support roles like in mechanics and technicians.”

The deployment of additional troops comes after the Trump administration carried out nationwide immigration and customs enforcement raids and operations.

“A lot of these deportations are based on targeted enforcement, which means that HSI, ICE and other law enforcement agencies are focusing their efforts on identified threats to the community. People who have already been deported, or people who might be involved in criminal activity in the United States,” Garza said.

Garza adds that if agents come across a person who does not have legal documents to be in the U.S., they could also be subject to deportation.

As our community continues to experience changes in policies, Trevino advises the community that Laredo will continue to follow federal laws. Adding, “These are federal and international issues that affect us also because we’re right here at the border, so we are monitoring these things as they evolve.”

Another item that was issued by Abbott today was an executive order directing state agencies to assist federal partners in deploying additional barriers to improve security at the border.

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.