CRISIS ON THE BORDER

PENITAS, Texas – The increase in migrant crossings has kept U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector busy and in need of additional help from local law enforcement agencies. “In one morning, a total of 75 people had crossed just this path alone,” Barron told KSAT. “Recently, within the past month and a few weeks, there’s been an increase in family units compared to what we regularly see,” Barron told KSAT. “When it comes to family units, you don’t see any resistance. Also on KSAT:House passes immigration bills for farm workers, ‘Dreamers’AdRepublicans seize on immigration as border crossings surgeDel Rio leaders, activists say current immigration situation is ‘unsustainable’

How City of Del Rio is responding to COVID-19There are two international land border crossings in Del Rio, including the Del Rio International Bridge and the Amistad Dam International Bridge. The Amistad Dam International Bridge is temporarily closed, and the Del Rio International Bridge has been limited to essential travel because of the ongoing pandemic. AdAgustin Angeles, with the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio, said in March, they began communicating with Del Rio and Cuidad Acuna officials about the coronavirus pandemic. “On March 13 was the first time the emergency team from the city of Del Rio reached out to us asking for a meeting with health authorities in (Cuidad) Acuna,” Angeles said. Currently, there are 14 confirmed coronavirus cases in Ciudad Acuna and 13 confirmed cases in Val Verde County.

SAN ANTONIO – An additional 100 immigration judges are in the works to help 424 judges already facing a staggering backlog of more than 892,000 cases, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan resource for federal enforcement, staffing and spending. Now it's up to the Department of Justice to identify these judges and hire them," Hurd said. AdThe funding is pending approval of the 2020 budget by Congress, a Department of Justice spokesman said. "The amount of immigration judges relative to the increase in incoming cases has caused extensive periods (of delay)," Cuellar said in a news release. Ramey said 100 more judges would help significantly.

LAREDO, Texas – Travelers who plan to come into the United States through three of the international bridges in Laredo will want to pack some patience. Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said Wednesday that lanes have been reduced at International Bridge 2 (Juarez-Lincoln), International Bridge 3 (Colombia Solidarity) and International Bridge 4 (World Trade). "I reiterate that delays at our ports of entry cost our city and our country greatly. Businesses depend on swift and efficient international trade to remain competitive with markets around the world. AdThe delays come as federal inspectors who screen cargo and vehicles at ports of entry along the Mexican border are being reassigned to help handle the surge of Central American families coming into the United States.

Among the many implications of the president’s threat to shut down the U.S. border, one consequence in particular is drawing the ire of many: an avocado shortage. According to a Reuters report, should President Donald Trump shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, America's avocado supply would run dry in three weeks. Steve Barnard, the president and chief executive of Mission Produce, quoted the news outlet with the three-week time frame. The president tweeted Friday that he would close the border or large portions of the border if "Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug (sic) our Southern Border." AdThe president tweeted again Saturday that his "next step" would be to close the border to curb illegal immigration and stop the drug flow from Mexico.

1 was temporarily shut down Monday as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials anticipated a significant group of migrants would attempt to enter the U.S. without inspection, CBP said in an emailed a statement. Bridge traffic at Gateway to the Americas Bridge, located in Laredo was temporarily halted in both directions due to the "possible threat of a significant group of undocumented migrants attempting entry without inspection at the bridge." The agency sent the following statement regarding the closure:"Bridge traffic at Gateway to the Americas Bridge is temporarily halted in both directions due to the possible threat of a significant group of undocumented migrants attempting entry without inspection at the bridge. Vehicular traffic is being temporarily diverted to Juarez-Lincoln Bridge and Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in the interim." Vehicular traffic has since resumed at Gateway to the Americas Bridge starting at 2:35 p.m.

STARR COUNTY, Texas – Ruperto Escobar is the first to admit his stance on the border wall is controversial and unpopular. Escobar admits he doesn't believe a border wall will end illegal activity but he's hopeful it'll slow it down. That barrier is going to slow them down enough to where our (Border Patrol) agents can catch them a lot easier," Escobar said. AdIf a wall isn't built, Escobar said he and his neighbors will continue to have problems with people trespassing on their property. Escobar said surveyors have come out to his land to see if a border wall is possible on his property.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – Immigration cases are being put on hold due to the government shutdown. An immigration attorney in the Rio Grande Valley said the shutdown has affected their federal court hearings, due to the fact that there are no judges to hear the cases. Justice is being placed on hold until the government shutdown ends. "The backlog of immigration court is just becoming that much larger, so instead of your case being heard faster, it's now going to be delayed, sometimes, for a couple of years," Garcia said. After watching Trump address the nation last night, Garcia said he didn't hear anything new from Trump.

MISSION, Texas – The La Lomita chapel has been serving the faithful on both sides of the border since 1865. He's been preaching and delivering God's message for over 25 years at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church, while also spending much of his time visiting the quaint and historic South Texas Chapel. The fear now is that the chapel may find itself isolated between President Donald Trump's border wall and Mexico. Snipes admits not everyone crossing over is doing so with good intentions, but he doesn't think a wall would slow them down. "If you could tell me that this wall could stop (ill-intentioned immigrants), I'd still say, 'Well, that's a damn shame,'" Snipes said.

EL PASO – A group of volunteers with Catholic Charities of San Antonio left for El Paso Monday night to assist the Diocese of El Paso with the increase in asylum seekers released from detention facilities, as well as individuals with the migrant caravan. READ ORIGINAL REPORT: Catholic Charities of SA needs volunteers to assist asylum seekersCatholic Charities said 2,800 asylum seekers arrived in El Paso shelters over the last two weeks, with approximately 90 percent of them from Guatemala. The volunteers will assist in distributing food, clothing and information. Antonio Fernandez, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of San Antonio, said he hopes the migrants, whose fates are uncertain, remember the smiles of the volunteers, whose core mission was to “give them love and dignity as a human being.”

Alerting customs officers to illegal drugs is just part of the job for Customs and Border Protection K-9's. We have narcotics coming in all the time on a daily basis," said CBP K-9 trainer Juan Medina. The canine alerted, stopped the car and it ended up being nine keys (kilos) of cocaine and 24 keys of meth," Medina said. K-9 handlers are responsible for making sure their four-legged partners don't become exposed to an illegal substance. If the dog is exposed or inhales a dangerous substance there's lifesaving measures in place.

SAN ANTONIO – Physicians, faith leaders and immigrant advocates, among others, will be part of a caravan leaving Saturday for a detention center in McAllen, where immigrant families and unaccompanied minors are initially held. The caravan, which will be loaded with donated supplies, is part of Project Lifeline, a nonprofit organization that offers detainees various levels of support, especially as they face the possible prospect of being held indefinitely. After they children are released, Kahn said, they can suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Kahn said that, later in life, the children can develop heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses. Click here for the latest figures of the status of children separated at the border.

The area where we’re walking in is one of the most heavily used trails by migrants in Brooks County #KSATBorderJourney #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/nQlvUeu1y3 — Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) July 18, 2018Good morning from Brooks County. KSAT's Steve Spriester, Luis Cienfuegos, Mario Orellana, Sal Salazar and Adrian Garcia will walk the same path that the migrants take in Brooks County. Producer Mario & I will be walking the same path the migrants use, starting at 6:30 a.m. in BROOKS COUNTY. Steve Spriester met up with a resident and a new business owner who shared their thoughts on the small town. #KSATBorderJourney pic.twitter.com/uaQHd6JLUj — Steve Spriester (@stevespriester) July 17, 2018The #KSATBorderJourney makes it 2nd stop in Carrizo Springs.

KSAT is traveling 1,700 miles along the U.S., Mexican border from Brownsville to San Diego to tell the stories about the people who live there and what the recent political climate has done to their day-to-day lives. Our team is also interviewing law enforcement officials, nonprofits and migrants who have crossed the border. Want to know more? Follow along each day as we update these stories:DAY 1See where Tiffany Huertas and Adrian Garcia are headed on the mapImmigrant surrenders to Border Patrol on camera; officials commend ‘zero tolerance policy’READ: Migrant father pens heartfelt letter after separated from daughterAdDAY 2Rio Grande Valley landowners living along the border share experiences with immigrantsDAY 3Undocumented mothers say they left violence; now fearing deportationFear of violence, deportation back in hometown haunts undocumented immigrantsDAY 4Deadline nears for migrant children to be reunited with parentsAdBillboards pushing for migrant family reunifications as deadline nearsDAY 5Deadline arrives for US to reunite migrant families following ‘zero-tolerance' policyEl Paso shelter offers hospitality to reunited migrant familiesCatholic Charities CEO: Reunification of separated families has been learning experienceAdDAY 6How Border Patrol is combating drug cartels, illegal activity from Ciudad JuarézHow officials identify deceased immigrants found along US-Mexico borderPICS: Arizona Sheriff shares images of drug cartel tunnels found in border townDAY 7Nonprofit organization receiving teddy bears for migrant children separated from familiesAdVolunteers hike deadly desert mountains to place water for migrantsFamilies separated at border reunite briefly in San Diego park​

About 12,800 family units were apprehended in August, a 38 percent increase in the number of apprehensions in July, which was 9,247. The latest numbers also show that more than 90,000 immigrants came as part of families crossing the southwest border illegally in the last 11 months. During the ride-along, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Marcelino Medina darted through spiny bushes and began searching for a group of people crossing the border illegally. AdDHS press secretary Tyler Houlton released the following statement:"August Southwest Border Migration numbers show a clear indicator that the migration flows are responding to gaps in our nation’s legal framework. Southwest Border Family Apprehensions StatisticsData obtained from Customs and Border Protection website.

Several agencies are investigating after a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot an individual near the Rio Grande Sunday morning. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the agent, who is assigned to Eagle Pass, attempted to arrest an individual when the person allegedly assaulted the agent. The agent, who was not identified, then shot the individual. According to the CBP, the person was taken to a hospital in San Antonio to be treated. The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility all responded to the scene to investigate.

LAREDO, Texas – They’re coming from half a world away in record numbers, traveling more than 8,800 miles from Bangladesh to Laredo. So, why are Bangladeshi nationals trying to enter the United States illegally through Laredo? In the past week, seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in the Laredo area, Border Patrol officials said. The Laredo Sector accounts for 62 percent of apprehensions of Bangladeshi nationals, the highest among all Border Patrol sectors, officials said. AdBorder Patrol officials said the routes are controlled by transnational criminal organizations in Mexico that have reported ties to Bangladesh.

DILLEY – KSAT 12 reporter Tiffany Huertas toured Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas on Thursday. ICE officials prohibited members of the media from recording audio or video while inside the facility on Thursday. Officials also prohibited members of the media from talking to families staying at the residential center. After leaving the residential center, Tiffany journaled her experience:A young girl smiles as she eats lunch in the cafeteria. At this time, a video plays in different languages on the wall about “know your rights.”It’s lunchtime at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas.

Several caravans of grandmothers across the country are headed to McAllen to lend a voice to immigrant families seeking asylum. Some of them are traveling from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and New York to protest family separation and current immigration laws. "(We want) to stand for the children and the families, and say 'this cannot happen,'" said Cindi Fisher, who traveled from Vancouver, Canada. "We must unite the families, and families belong together and free." The grandmothers’ plan to meet with groups from the East Coast about an hour outside of McAllen to make a unified arrival.

SAN DIEGO – A park located along the U.S.- Mexico border is serving as the middle ground for families stuck on either side of the border. Many families traveled long distances to visit the San Diego park for a chance to look through fencing and see their families in Mexico. Joselyn Loaiza, 11, came with her family to visit relatives on the border. Depending on where you start along the US-Mexico border, THIS is where #TheLine starts/finishes. AdFor these families, even if its just for a few hours, it’s worth traveling all the way here.

SAN ANTONIO – A year has passed since several people were found dead in the back of a tractor-trailer in a Walmart parking lot. Reyna Torres Mendivil, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Antonio, recalled talking with some of the survivors and arranging care for them. Since then, two other smuggling notable smuggling incidents have occurred but did not result in deaths. James Bradley Jr., the driver in the deadly smuggling incident, was sentenced to life in prison in April. Four exhibits provided to the court by the government during Bradley's sentencing hearing in San Antonio were released to the public by the U.S. attorney's office.

“Aveces encontramos carteras (sometimes we find wallets),” a Border Angels volunteer said. #KSATBorderJourney #TheLine #KSATnews #TX2CALI pic.twitter.com/ttuH700gDe — Tiffany Huertas (@tiffanychuertas) July 27, 2018“It gives them that last bit of strength or power to keep going,” a Border Angels volunteer said. Many of the Border Angels volunteers said only the border is separating the chance for a better life. Ad“We were lucky enough to be born on this side of the border,” Christine Kwon said. We’re about to find out who we are and what we are,” Christine Kwon said.

SAN DIEGO – For many children across the world, teddy bears can be viewed simply as a toy. But for the migrant children who were separated from their families following the implementation of the government's "zero-tolerance policy," it’s providing them with a sense of comfort. Border Angels, a nonprofit organization in San Diego, California, has been receiving endless teddy bear donations from people all over. #KSATBorderJourney #TheLine #KSATnews #TX2CALI pic.twitter.com/ttuH700gDe — Tiffany Huertas (@tiffanychuertas) July 27, 2018On Friday, Border Angels hosted a breakfast to discuss community issues, including immigration. With Tijuana, Mexico, across the border from San Diego, local officials believe right now is a crucial time to talk about those issues.

SAN DIEGO – Day 6 (Friday): (10:08 p.m.) In the eyes of many immigrants who cross into the United States from Mexico illegally, the journey into America is well worth the risk. The LineThe San Diego Medical Examiner's Department is working closely with Border Patrol and the Mexican Consulate to help identify bodies of those found along the U.S.-Mexico border. Story at 10 p.m. #KSATBorderJourney #TheLine #TX2CALI pic.twitter.com/m49Bh9U2r3 — Tiffany Huertas (@tiffanychuertas) July 28, 2018(6:33 p.m.) The #KSATBorderJourney arrives at its final destination: San Diego, California. “We have a very good relationship with our counterparts in Mexico,” agent Joe Romero, a supervisor for the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector, said. During his time as sheriff, Estrada said the first drug cartel tunnel ever discovered in the country was in Nogales, Arizona, which is the county seat.

The LineThe San Diego Medical Examiner's Department is working closely with Border Patrol and the Mexican Consulate to help identify bodies of those found along the U.S.-Mexico border. When it comes to identifying undocumented immigrants who were found dead near the California-Mexico border, the challenges begin well before the body arrives at his facility. AdWhile every case for the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office is different, Estrada said they treat every one of them with the utmost respect. Estrada said the medical examiner’s office works with the U.S. Border Patrol and the Mexican Consulate to identify the deceased undocumented immigrants. With technology advancing every day, he said it is helping the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office in identifying bodies faster.

EL PASO – In any profession around the world, communication is one of the most important tools in the workplace. For the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso, however, it is the number one key element to protecting the largest border metroplex in the nation, covering more than 260 miles. “We have a very good relationship with our counterparts in Mexico,” agent Joe Romero, a supervisor for the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector, said. The creation back in 1924 also marked the beginning of the U.S. Border Patrol. You have law enforcement on the Mexican side (and) Border Patrol agents on the U.S. side.

NOGALES, Ariz. – Day 5 (THURSDAY): (10:08 p.m.) The first drug tunnel in the nation was discovered near an old abandoned church in Nogales, Arizona, a border town of fewer than 21,000 people. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said in his 50-year career in law enforcement he has seen at least 110 tunnels used for drug trafficking in Nogales, Arizona. THE LINE: We’ve traveled from the Rio Grande Valley to (now) here in Nogales, Arizona. From personal experience, I have not seen the border wall THIS CLOSE to residents who live on the U.S. side. SERIES➡️https://t.co/32cfRN84Sm #KSATBorderJourney #TheLine #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/BZH3wCe65d — Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) July 26, 2018I'll be reporting from Nogales, Arizona today.

NOGALES, Ariz. – The first drug tunnel in the nation was discovered near an old abandoned church in Nogales, Arizona, a border town of fewer than 21,000 people. Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said since the discovery in 1995, more than 110 drug tunnels have been found. From personal experience, I have not seen the border wall THIS CLOSE to residents who live on the U.S. side. While people continue to smuggle in drugs and even cross over illegally from Mexico, Estrada said he doesn't believe a border wall will fix the problem. That’s not the America I’m used to seeing.”Courtest: U.S. Border PatrolAccording to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website, the Nogales Border Patrol Station consists of two Immigration Patrol Inspectors covering 27 miles of the International Boundary between both sides.

EL PASO, Texas – After months of outcry over splitting up migrant families at the border, the U.S. government has come up against a Thursday deadline to reunite all eligible families. KSAT 12 went to a shelter in El Paso that is providing hospitality to reunited families who were detained and separated by ICE in the last few months. The Annunciation House in El Paso is providing meals, clothing, transportation and housing costs to migrant families who have been reunited. The Trump administration launched a zero-tolerance policy in April, which separated migrant parents and children. “We are open to keep receiving people until everyone is reunited,” Bull said.

Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico, is also home to a 2.5-mile open gap in the wall. The U.S. Border Patrol combats the exposure by utilizing resources such as sensors, horse patrols and ATVs. Cristo Rey has received, they have still seen serious cases in the area. The 29 ft tall limestone statue of Christ sits atop the Sierra de Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Cristo Rey.

(3:50 p.m.) The U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso gave KSAT a tour on the south end side of the border wall, steps away from Ciudad Juaréz, Mexico. It’s right there too but much smaller than what most people in Rio Grande Valley are used to seeing. (11:02 p.m.) Before KSAT travels six hours west from El Paso, Texas, to Nogales, Arizona, the U.S. Border Patrol's West Texas Sector shared information regarding its region. Agent Joe Romero, a spokesman for the Border Patrol, said West Texas agents patrol the largest border metroplex in the nation of more than 260 miles. Romero said the sector has to deal with both the El Paso and Ciudad Juaréz communities, which have a combined population of nearly 3 million people.

MCALLEN, Texas – Less than 24 hours is left for the federal government to reunite migrant children who were separated from their parents due to the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy. On June 26, federal judge Dana Sabraw imposed a series of deadlines for the administration, giving the government a month to reunite hundreds of children with their families. Less than a week after the ruling, national nonprofit organization American Civil Liberties Union posted four billboards -- two in English and two in Spanish -- directed toward the U.S. Border Patrol in McAllen, Texas. SERIES➡️https://t.co/cyhXtWpDZR #KSATBorderJourney pic.twitter.com/Ij9kAdCFht — Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) July 23, 2018“Border Patrol: Children belong with families, not in jails,” the billboards say. AdThe ACLU has been vocal on its social media pages, calling the family separations “cruel and inhumane policies.”The Trump administration faces a deadline of this Thursday, July 26, to reunite all children separated by the administration’s cruel and inhuman policies.

EL PASO, Texas – For many students who live in Ciudad Juaréz but attend school in El Paso, the bridge they cross every day can be viewed as a symbol to their future leaving behind the setbacks in Mexico. Nearly 10 years later, Ojeda is just one year away from graduating from El Paso Independent School District’s Bowie High School. The close-to-home experience fueled Gonzalez to graduate high school and continue her studies by attending El Paso Community College. Much like Ojeda, Gonzalez said her parents wanted her to have better education and future because the situation in Mexico is awful. AdA spokesperson with El Paso ISD said in order for students to attend school in the district, they must provide proof of residency.

Arnold Sepulveda with the Palmview Police Department said vehicle pursuits is becoming the norm in the Rio Grande Valley. Sepulveda said the pursuits typically involve human smugglers or drug traffickers who are putting commuters in harms by driving at a high rate of speed. The first cross was made out of wood until world-famous sculptor Urbici Soler came to El Paso to construct a monument. Cristo Rey where a cross overlooks 2 countries (U.S. & Mexico) & 3 states (Texas, New Mexico & Chihuahua). Cristo Rey where a cross overlooks 2 countries (United States & Mexico) and 3 states (Texas, New Mexico & Chihuahua).

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The stories of two undocumented mothers from separate countries may be different, but the constant emotion of living in fear is the same. She said the violence in her hometown has continued with her niece and cousin recently being kidnapped. “Me procupa que me separen de mis hijas (I'm worried about being separated from my daughters),” Heidi said. Heidi said she left her country to not only escape the violence but also poverty. “Que dios no los abandone (May God not abandon them).”AdAccording to the Center for Immigration Studies, the undocumented population was 10.8 million in 2016.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – DAY 2 (MONDAY): (11:35 p.m.) KSAT began its journey along the U.S.-Mexico border leaving the Rio Grande Valley around 2 a.m. to El Paso, Texas, where reporter Tiffany Huertas will meet with several people that include the U.S. Border Patrol’s Southwest Sector. (10:15 p.m.) The Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector remains the busiest in the county with more than 14,000 apprehensions just last month. While on a ride along with the RGV Sector, Border Patrol agents spotted a group of immigrants who had crossed over the Rio Grande illegally to the United States. (5:15 p.m.) Rio Grande Valley landowners living along the Texas-Mexico border share their experiences on interacting with immigrants who cross the nearby Rio Grande. This facility is being used for the overflow of people from Catholic Charities of Rio Grande Valley.

HIDALGO COUNTY – The Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector remains the busiest in the county with more than 14,000 apprehensions just last month. While on a ride along with the RGV Sector, Border Patrol agents spotted a group of immigrants who had crossed over the Rio Grande illegally to the United States. Border Patrol agent Marcelino Medina found a man who eventually walked out of the brush he was hiding in and surrendered to the agents. Often times, we refer that as potential threats in the mix … wanted for murder, MS-13 (gang) members (or) 18th Street gang members," Medina said. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the number of apprehensions along the Southwest border was more than 34,000 in June.

Eileen Blessinger said she has collected more than 30 letters written by parents being kept in the Port Isabel Detention Center. Blessinger shared one of the letters from a father who told his daughter that he loved her and not to lose faith. AdBlessinger said she and her five colleagues have been meeting with over 200 men and women who have been separated from their children. “The emotional toll that is taking on everyone is really extreme; not just the parents but the children as well,” Blessinger said. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw imposed a series of deadlines for the administration to reunite hundreds of children.

From the Rio Grande Valley to San Diego, California, KSAT will be interviewing people who live along the border, law enforcement officials, nonprofit organizations, migrants who have crossed the border and much more. ((SCROLL BELOW FOR RECENT UPDATES))The special 1,700-mile report is part of "The Line" series; to read and watch the stories, follow KSAT on-air, online and on all of its social media pages. DAY 1 (SUNDAY): (11:30 p.m.) KSAT's Tiffany Huertas shares what South Texas residents had to say about a new controversial border directed towards the U.S. Border Patrol in McAllen, Texas. (3:55 p.m.) KSAT stops in Progreso Lakes, Texas, where reporter Tiffany Huertas talked with Abraham Desiga at his family's home where they've lived since the 1940s. LIVE: KSAT is continuing its “The Line” series this time sharing stories along the entire border starting in Brownsville, Texas, and ending in San Diego, California.

SAN ANTONIO – At least two immigrant families were reunited at San Antonio’s Catholic Charities on Monday after days of anticipation. Catholic Charities CEO Antonio Fernandez confirmed that two immigrant families were reunited at their facility. An estimated 400 immigrant families who were separated at the border during the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy are expected to be reunited in San Antonio. The organization has expecting families since the weekend; however, the first reunions occurred Monday night. The families arrive in separate buses -- one bus will be filled with children, the other with parents, Fernandez said.

SAN ANTONIO – Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller on Monday visited Catholic Charities where some 400 families are expected to be reunited sometime this week. Understanding circumstances of others:“People have the right to leave their countries. In this case, most of the people, not all, but most of the people, they leave their countries to live. They will not be able to move on here in the United states, doing good, if they are not integrated. We depend on the different layers of organizations in the country that respond to the government’s direction for us to receive children and families.”AdWhat Catholic Charities provides for refugee or immigrant families:

PENITAS, Texas – The old adage, “Nothing much happens in small towns,” doesn’t always hold true for Penitas, Texas, which boasts a population of 8,000. Penitas police Chief Roel Bermea said his small department, with about a dozen officers that covers 438 square miles, is often the first to encounter illegal activity coming across the Rio Grande west of Mission. Bermea said he doesn't know if it's a factor, but activity began to increase soon after it was announced the National Guard was returning to the border. Morales said his officer was on one side, waiting for backup to arrive on the other side of the canal. AdBermea said the recent increase in activity has taken a toll on officers.

Antonio Fernandez, president of Catholic Charities, said the reunions will occur Monday afternoon. "We were told by ICE that we will have families come today, but we don't know how many. The good thing is we're ready, so as soon as people come, Catholic Charities will be there." But as of 5:15 p.m., no buses carrying immigrants, possibly from ICE detention center in Pearsall and Karnes County, had arrived at the Catholic Charities facility downtown. When the immigrants arrive, they will be clothed, fed and booked into a hotel before they head for their next destination, Fernandez said.

SAN ANTONIO – Catholic Charities anticipates 400 immigrant families will arrive at their non-profit over the next two week. “We just want to be part of it," said Michelle Quintero, a volunteer with Catholic Charities. Michelle Quintero said she and her daughter are inseparable and couldn’t imagine being apart. Christina O’Neill Higgs, Director of Fundraising for Catholic Charities, says the community has really pitched in to do their part. “It’s been in front of us for so long— everybody has reached out to help,” O’Neill Higgs said.

SAN ANTONIO – The federal government has reached out to Catholic Charities to help in assisting hundreds of immigrant families who are expected to be reunited several months after being separated at the border. Antonio Fernandez, Catholic Charities San Antonio director, said the reunions could begin as early as Saturday. Catholic Charities San Antonio is one of four sites selected for reunions. The children and parents had been separated by the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance policy," which has affected more than 2,000 undocumented immigrant families. The Catholic Charities of San Antonio has been hard at work getting ready for a reunion that will feature around 400 families who have been separated at the border.

KARNES CITY, Texas – Two Democratic lawmakers on Monday toured the U.S. Department of Homeland Security facility in Karnes City where hundreds of immigrant families are being held. The media was not allowed inside the building, so the lawmakers were asked about the conditions the detainees are living in. But it wasn't the conditions of the facility the lawmakers were frustrated with. The facility in Karnes County is the third the lawmakers have seen in the last couple of days. He said there are roughly 400 people being held in the Karnes County facility, and many more are still separated in other facilities in Texas.

SAN ANTONIO – Hundreds of thousands of people are rallying across the country Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. While the main rally is being held in Washington, D.C., San Antonio protestors gathered in downtown to express their opinions on immigration. The second group with several hundred participants gathered at Main Plaza, rallying against the zero tolerance immigration policy. Viri Diani Carrisales, with San Antonio Rise, said the Trump administration is continuously attacking the immigrant community and refugee community. She and the hundreds that gathered at Main Plaza want the immigrant community to know there are people who are fighting for them, especially to keep immigrant families together.

AUSTIN – Texas Observer reporter Jason Buch has obtained a letter signed by 19 special agents in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, asking Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen to split off HSI to avoid confusion with Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO. The letter describes the perception that HSI has the same mission as ERO, which oversees rounding up undocumented immigrants for deportation. HSI is the criminal investigations arm of ICE. Read the letter by clicking here.

SAN ANTONIO – Two NFL stars said it’s not about being political, it’s about being human when it comes to the current immigration crisis on the border. Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman and New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis were in San Antonio on Wednesday trying to make a difference in the lives of immigrants who had been separated from family members. Norman and Davis were disturbed by images of immigrant families separated at the border, so they met in San Antonio, bought supplies, stuffed backpacks and handed them out to the families. AdRAICES led the event, and Ryan said it was done to make these families feel loved and supported. "I think it's important what happened today — that these two stars showed their humanity and shared that message — that we are all humans," Ryan said.

LA JOYA, Texas – The mayor of a city in the Rio Grande Valley said the city will not house Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in its jails or detention centers. La Joya Mayor Jose "Fito" Salinas confirmed to KSAT that the city will not hold immigrants for ICE. The City of La Joya in the RGV announces they will not house ICE detainees. AdThe fact sheet states that ICE has posted information on the reunification process in all of its facilities. ICE released the following statement to KSAT Monday:“ICE does not house ICE detainees at the La Joya City Jail.

McALLEN, Texas – A group of volunteers from California are trying to help families recently affected by the zero tolerance policy. This past weekend, a dozen volunteers from San Mateo, California accompanied U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier to McAllen, Texas, after hearing about the separation of families. Related: Group goes on hunger strike to protest immigrant families separatedThe volunteers worked and collected needed items: a total of 21 bags and 50 boxes, all before traveling to the Rio Grande Valley. But we know we can't do that so this is the next best thing we can provide," Rey said. "We are tired of wringing our hands and just not sleeping at night," Rey said.

Norma said she and her family fled the state of Tamaulipas, where it had become common for women to be kidnapped and never heard from again. The state has a "do not travel" designation, the most severe travel advisory. "It's really hard for us to look at how they are separating these families," Norma said. She said that the current immigration laws seem to go against people like her. “It’s hard to live day to day with all these anti-immigration laws they are proposing every day,” Norma said.

Democratic leaders and members of pro-immigration organizations gathered in the Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. Democratic members of Congress spoke with Border Patrol agents and still have no clear picture of when the rest of the children will be with their parents. They expressed their feelings after a tour of detention centers earlier in the day. Many of the leaders described the conditions the people inside were staying in as inhumane. As city leaders across the country continue learning details of the issue, they are taking action.

NEAR SAN MARCOS, Texas – What are believed to be the last of the unidentified remains exhumed from Sacred Heart Cemetery in Falfurrias are now at the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University, their official repository since last year. AdBaker’s students were the first to exhume the unidentified remains that were then taken to Texas State for processing. He said that’s hard to do when family members are in the U.S. illegally or in another country. Instead, Gocha said the center reaches out to nongovernmental groups, such as the South Texas Human Rights Center in Falfurrias, and consulates to help contact family members. Spradley said Thursday that the Forensic Anthropology Center had only received partial funding from a private foundation to continue its work.

The initial outrage over erroneous reports of mass graves has turned into an uproar over improper burials of immigrants at a South Texas cemetery. AUSTIN, Texas – The outrage over inaccurate reports of mass graves in a Falfurrias cemetery has turned into an uproar over improper burials of immigrant remains. 20, arranged a briefing Tuesday at the State Capitol. Their professor, Dr. Lori Baker, a forensic anthropologist, said, "We've seen these unusual burials throughout the cemetery." But Baker said she's seen similar burials in other cemeteries due to lack of space.

FALFURRIAS, Texas – In response to published reports of mass graves at a Falfurrias cemetery, Brooks County Judge Raul Ramirez said a local funeral home had been paid to transport and “dispose” of immigrant remains. Ramirez said at a cost of $450 per body in 2005 to $740 now, he understood they would be buried in pauper's graves. "Plastic bags are not pauper's graves," Ramirez said. Dr. Lori Baker, a Baylor University forensic anthropologist, also said they were not in mass graves. AdShe said it was nothing like the mass graves she encountered years ago working in Peru.

Founded by a forensic anthropologist at Baylor University, Reuniting Families has reached a milestone-- its first identification of human remains found in Brooks County, an area notorious for immigrant deaths. She said the remains identified were of a woman who was buried as an "unknown" more than 1,400 miles from her family in Honduras. She said after the woman's remains were unearthed by University of Indianapolis students, they were taken to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University for analysis. Baker said the DNA match was made possible by an Argentinian forensic team in Honduras that collected a sample from the woman's family. Ad"You can see the extent of the agencies and how they all had to work together," Baker said.

FALFURRIAS, Texas – At least 71 undocumented immigrants crowded into the back of a U-Haul truck survived a wild ride Wednesday through a Brooks County ranch, thanks to a law enforcement officer’s instincts. Brooks County deputy Mo Saavedra said when the smuggler saw his sheriff's vehicle, he tore through a fence line along FM 285 about 15 miles west of Falfurrias. "When the U-Haul was going through the field, they lifted up the back hatch and people started jumping out," Saavedra said. AdSaavedra said when they saw him, the U-Haul turned around. They stopped traffic and they almost got hit by traffic," Saavedra said.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The “processing” of immigrant bodies would be too gruesome for the untrained, but for forensic science students it is a necessary task that they volunteered to do on behalf of loved ones. "Their families are besides themselves trying to find out what happened to them," said Dr. Lori Baker, the forensic anthropologist at Baylor University. She is leading the volunteer effort by other experts and students at Baylor, Texas State University and the University of Indianapolis. You just don't hear about these things," said Sabrina Lacruz, who just graduated from Baylor with a degree in forensic science. "It is a silent mass disaster," said Dr. Kate Spradley, the forensic anthropologist at Texas State overseeing their work at the Freeman Ranch near San Marcos.

Hernandez is the 32nd immigrant to die in Brooks County this year. Before making those latest notifications, Martinez said a Congressional aide had just informed him that Brooks County should not count on any "border surge" funds approved last week in the Senate's version of immigration reform. AdNearly $40 billion have been proposed to double the number of Border Patrol agents, create a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, and additional border fencing. He said Brooks County is 70 miles from the border, yet it's seeing a daily surge of smuggling activity being funneled around the busiest of three Border Patrol checkpoints in the Rio Grande Valley sector. "We need to become a border county where the funds are directly forwarded to the county," Martinez said.

FALFURRIAS – Teams of forensic students at Baylor University arrived in Brooks County on Saturday to begin the somber task of exhuming bodies of unidentified immigrants buried in the Falfurrias Cemetery. Related: Students on mission to ID human remains near borderAdTheir mission in Falfurrias will involve exhuming more than 50 grave sites through May 28. Brooks County has experienced a record number of deaths last year, with 129 bodies recovered on area ranches. AdShe said their work will be at no cost to Brooks County, and their expenses will be out of their pocket. However, Baker said in return, the Baylor students will get valuable real-life experience as they prepare for careers using their forensic skills.

BROOKS COUNTY, Texas – Immigrants trudging across the unforgiving sandy terrain of Brooks County may not believe their eyes when they encounter a tall, antenna-looking structure with a blue light on top. Since 2008, U.S. Border Patrol has set up six rescue beacons in Brooks County because of its desert-like conditions and high rate of immigrant deaths. Huey said Border Patrol has helped rescue 120 immigrants since last year, but the sector already has recorded 40 deaths. Last year, the Brooks County Sheriff's Office reported more than sixty immigrant deaths, while just last week at least three bodies were recovered in remote areas. She said once the beacons are activated, a distress signal is triggered that leads agents with global positioning systems to locate the immigrants.

Brooks County dispatchers often receive calls from illegal immigrants who are lost in brush and desperately seeking help. BROOKS COUNTY, Texas – Illegal immigrants overcome by the South Texas heat often call Brooks County 911, triggering an all-out search by sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Border Patrol. We’re not going to let them die out here,” said Rey Rodriguez, Brooks County sheriff. “Yes, yes,” he said. “Vargas, Vargas,” Angel kept repeating a name scrawled on a fence post.

FALFURRIAS, Texas – Between bailouts during pursuits and searching the rugged brush country for dead or dying illegal immigrants, Brooks County Sheriff Rey Rodriguez said his department is “having a rough time.”Rodriguez said it's not just his small department, but also state and federal law enforcement agencies in Brooks County -- a deep South Texas county of about 7,000 people. Rodriguez said smugglers coming up from the border often travel the back roads to bypass the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints, located on U.S. Highway 281, south of Falfurrias. Yet because Brooks is not considered a border county, the sheriff said state and federal funding is harder to come by for his overworked and understaffed department. Rodriguez said the smugglers escaped, leaving half a dozen illegal immigrants to be rescued and their cargo up in the smoke. For that reason, Daniel Davila, Brooks County's lone investigator, said the small department is not backing down.