Tagged News

• Homeland Security installs cameras at large Valley events Play Video

  March 9, 2020 10:24 PM

  MERCEDES – Crowd sizes are prompting more security measures at Rio Grande Valley events. The Department of Homeland Security is adding extra eyes at the Mercedes livestock show and at South Padre Island for spring break. On Monday, agents went around the livestock show grounds connecting cameras. ... more »

• Environmental Waivers For Border Wall Construction Play Video

  November 3, 2019 11:14 PM

  WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a waiver, which will ensure expeditious construction of approximately 65 miles of new border wall system within U.S. Border Patrol’s (USBP) Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector located in Starr, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, Texas. These new miles are in... more »

• Soft-Sided Migrant Facility being Setup in Brownsville Play Video

  July 24, 2019 10:20 AM

  BROWNSVILLE – Tents are under construction at the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville as part of processing migrants under the Migrant Protection Protocols. So far, the framework is still being put in place, but the soft-sided roofing is already stretched over the corners. Crews were seen working on... more »

• Acting DHS Secretary Details Improvements on Migrant Care in Letter to House Speaker

  July 19, 2019 10:09 AM

  WESLACO – The acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the Speaker of the House highlighting the conditions and care of families in custody along the U.S. southern border. The letter is in response to another letter Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent to Acting Secretary... more »

• Guards Frustrated over Lack of Manpower at Migrant Tent Facility in Donna Play Video

  July 3, 2019 5:07 PM

  DONNA – Several security guards who work at the migrant tent facility in Donna came forward to claim their work conditions are unfair. The guards claim there’s constant turnover and the only ones who remain are those who can’t afford to lose the paycheck. The Donna tent facility... more »

• Border Agents Struggling to Keep Diseases Away From Home Play Video

  June 13, 2019 9:28 PM

  DONNA – The Department of Homeland Security says sickness and disease are following Border Patrol agents home from work. Agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector alone are managing over 250 migrant flu cases. More bodies to the border mean more risk of disease for the border agents.... more »

• TSA Asks Agents to Volunteer to Aid in Immigration Surge Play Video

  May 17, 2019 5:54 PM

  WESLACO – Another federal agency is lending a hand along the southern border. The Transportation Security Administration confirms their agents are heading south. In a statement, the agency says they are supporting Department of Homeland Security in the humanitarian and security crisis. They are asking TSA agents... more »

• Donna Woman Living near Tent Facility Concerned for Safety Play Video

  May 6, 2019 5:37 PM

  DONNA – A Donna woman living near the temporary processing center says she feels she needs more security. Eva Munos says news of immigrants being held at a facility four miles from her home is a cause of concern for her. She says she supports the idea of... more »

• DHS Acting Secretary Makes Plea to Lawmakers Play Video

  April 30, 2019 5:22 PM

  WESLACO – The new acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is making a plea to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Kevin McAleenan says Border Patrol agents at the border are stretched thin and need help. He told lawmakers at a congressional hearing Tuesday that officials will ask... more »

• DHS Requesting More Troops at Border Play Video

  April 26, 2019 9:00 PM

  WESLACO – The Department of Homeland Security is requesting 300 more troops be sent to the border. The troops could be placed in roles which would place them in direct contact with detained migrants, such as driving the buses and providing them with meals. The request also includes... more »

• DHS Request Under Review by Defense Dept. for More Troops Play Video

  April 26, 2019 11:47 AM

  WESLACO – A request to send more troops to the Southern U.S. border is under review. There are 3,000 active duty troops and 2,000 National Guard personnel on the borderline. When asked how many troops could be sent out, the acting secretary of defense said he didn’t have... more »

• Acting DHS Secretary Announces Changes to Ease Crisis along Border Play Video

  April 17, 2019 5:29 PM

  HIDALGO – Changes announced Wednesday by the acting Department of Homeland Security secretary. Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan spoke at the Pharr-Reynosa port of entry. Although he’s new to the job, he says they’re taking quick action to address the growing immigration numbers. McAleenan said the Rio... more »

• Acting DHS Secretary to ‘Work with’ Respite Center Play Video

  April 17, 2019 5:07 PM

  MCALLEN – Before touring the border, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan made a stop at the Catholic Charities Respite Center in McAllen. McAleenan met with Sister Norma Pimentel, the executive director at the center, and Bishop Daniel Flores. Flores says McAleenan’s tour is important; it... more »

• DHS Acting Secretary in Valley to Address Immigrant Support Play Video

  April 16, 2019 4:55 PM

  WESLACO – The Acting Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, is in the Rio Grande Valley. He will meet with representatives of Catholic Charities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He’s expected to address efforts to aid immigrant families in a... more »

• HSI Investigating Fake Family Units Crossing Border Play Video

  April 9, 2019 6:59 PM

  MCALLEN – Homeland Security investigators are focused on family units coming into the U.S. They’re working to figure out if the children are related to the people they are traveling with. Border Patrol saw an increase in family units between the months of January and March – more... more »

• Former Valley Border Patrol Chief to Lead New DHS Emergency Center Play Video

  April 3, 2019 12:28 PM

  WESLACO – The former Rio Grande Valley sector Border Patrol chief is now in charge of a new Department of Homeland Security emergency operation center. Former Chief Manuel Padilla will be leading the center that will be set up due to the ongoing migrant crisis. Watch the video... more »

• Pilot Accused of Smuggling Reaches Plea Deal Play Video

  February 5, 2019 12:26 PM

  UPDATE (2/7): The pilot accused of smuggling people into the U.S. reached a plea deal. Louis Luyton was arrested at the Mid-Valley Airport in Weslaco back in November. Court documents show he admitted to getting paid $3,000 to make the flight. Earlier this week, he pleaded guilty... more »

• DHS, CBP Request Permission to Access SpaceX Site for Possible Border Wall Play Video

  January 4, 2019 4:36 PM

  NEAR BROWNSVILLE – The Department of Homeland Security continues its efforts to survey in the Rio Grande Valley for possible border wall sites. The department now wants access to property in Cameron County that is owned by SpaceX. SpaceX spokesman James Gleeson tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS DHS and... more »

• Local Law Enforcement Working Without Pay due to Gov't Shutdown Play Video

  December 27, 2018 6:06 PM

  WESLACO – Many employees across the Rio Grande Valley who are tasked with keeping communities safe are being forced to work without pay due to the government shutdown. "Holidays are stressful enough for some folks and adding this on top of it, it doesn't go well,” says an employee... more »

• DHS Invests $1.1M on Device to Keep First Responders, Drivers Safe on Roads Play Video

  October 26, 2018 6:49 PM

  WESLACO – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investing in technology that will benefit first responders and drivers on the road. The agency has signed a $1.1 million contract with a Chicago-based company to work on a device that will alert drivers in the immediate area when an emergency... more »

• DHS Discovers New Wi-Fi Security Exploit Play Video

  October 16, 2017 6:35 PM

  WESLACO – A security gap can leave anyone who uses wireless internet technology vulnerable. From sending e-mails to messages, to even paying bills, people are almost always tapped into a Wi-Fi network. “We need it these days, that's the way the world works, fortunately and unfortunately,” said Carmen Marquez-Luettich. Like... more »

• US to Increase Number of Immigrants Targeted for Deportation

  February 21, 2017 10:50 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Homeland Security Department is greatly expanding the number of people living in the U.S. illegally who are considered a deportation priority. The new guidelines under President Donald Trump call for the deportation of any individuals in the country illegally if they are convicted, charged or suspected... more »

• DHS Report Shows Increase in Border Patrol Apprehensions Play Video

  December 30, 2016 8:43 PM

  WESLACO - New numbers show U.S. Border Patrol had a 23 percent increase in arrests during the 2016 fiscal year. The Department of Homeland Security’s report, released Friday, showed the agency apprehended more than 415,000 people from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Last year’s statistics showed more than... more »