Border Watch with Jonathan Mejia takes on Rio Grande Valley border sector

HOUSTON - Border Watchers,

I'm back in Houston after spending three days in the Rio Grande Valley border sector. It was a jammed-pack newsgathering assignment where I made sure to cover as much as I could on the topics of immigration and border security.

While in the RGV, I rode along with Border Patrol agents and joined their riverine crew along the river to see how transnational criminal organizations smuggle migrants into the United States. It really is a sophisticated organization. The structure includes guides who often smuggle migrants in rafts and lookouts who watch on the Mexican side to alert smugglers when it's the best time to make the move. These smuggling operations use technology such as drones, phones, and GPS-monitors. They also rely on impressive forms of intel. The smugglers are familiar with border agent shift changes and use that intel to their advantage. Those on the Mexican side know how long it takes to get boats in and out the water and how long it takes agents to make it from one side of the river to the other.

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I also got to see how securing the border in Texas is a joint operation between federal and state law enforcement. All along the border you can see how Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star plays a role. From Texas DPS troopers to the National Guard, these law enforcement agencies share intel and often communicate with each other during apprehensions. The National Guard's presence at the border is simply that: just presence. They cannot arrest illegal migrants.

The RGV border sector is made up of several towns and counties. The largest, Hidalgo County, went through a political shift this election year. For the first time in more than 20 years, the county voted Republican. I was able to talk with voters who live yards away from the border. They told me, while illegal crossings are lower and they no longer have migrants in their backyards or knocking on their doors, they wanted to see change. Many are now members of the Latinos for Trump movement.

Illegal crossings have dropped in the RGV sector and across other border sectors. The CBP One App is a big reason why. It's an application for migrants who are in southern or central Mexico. It allows them to alert CBP of their intention to claim asylum at a port of entry (international bridge). Once they’ve done that, they can check the app for available appointments. Some migrants tell me they wait weeks, others wait months, some even years. I got to visit the McAllen Hidalgo International Bridge where I spoke to several migrants who had successfully confirmed their appointment and presented themselves for an interview with CBP officers at the bridge. Many told me they were excited to finally make it to the United States. While some have sponsors or family members who can help coordinate their travels, others do not.

That's where organizations like the Catholic Charities of the RGV and Sister Norma Pimentel step in to help. The charity has a shelter in McAllen where they take in migrants and provide humanitarian aid. I spoke with one Venezuelan native who shared with me the details of his journey to the United States. He did not enter the country legally through the CBP One App. Instead, he chose to turn himself over to Border Patrol. His decision was based on not having any success getting an appointment confirmed. He grew frustrated and no longer had the patience to wait it out. He spent two days in CBP custody and was released with a Notice to Appear at a later date in federal immigration court.

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There are many more stories that came from the RGV, and I cannot wait to share them with you through a special FOX Local show. Make sure to download FOX Local.  It's a free app for your phone or smart TV where you can stream all of FOX 26's original content, including live newscasts, and my special reports: 'Border Watch with Jonathan Mejia.'

If you see something interesting or have a question about border security and immigration, send it my way. Let’s connect on my social media accounts. Border Watch will be making another border trip next month. Details to come.