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ICE charges Texas bakery owners with harboring immigrants

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feeds.texastribune.org – By Berenice Garcia – 2025-02-20 17:02:00

ICE arrests South Texas bakery owners accused of hiring undocumented workers

ICE arrests South Texas bakery owners accused of hiring undocumented workers” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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McALLEN — The owners of a South Texas bakery were arrested and charged with harboring undocumented workers, a relatively rare incidence of federal agents pursuing business owners for allegedly employing undocumented immigrants.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted a “worksite enforcement action” at Abby’s Bakery in Los Fresnos on Feb. 12 and said they arrested eight undocumented workers. The agency said the owners, Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel were charged with “bringing in and harboring aliens and aiding and abetting the harboring of aliens.”

A criminal complaint filed by a Homeland Security special agent said the owners admitted they knew the employees were undocumented.

Prosecuting businesses that employ undocumented workers is rare. Even during President Donald Trump’s first term, Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not often exercise that authority.

In the year between April 2018 and March 2019, ICE filed seven criminal cases against 11 people for employing workers in the country illegally. No companies were charged during that period, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data-gathering nonprofit at Syracuse University.

The arrests prompted alarm in Los Fresnos, a border town of fewer than 10,000 people in Cameron County.

Los Fresnos Mayor Alejandro Flores called the situation “frustrating” in a statement posted on Facebook.

“As this is an ongoing issue, we are unable to speculate at this time,” Flores said. “I do agree that this doesn’t look good and since ICE is not putting out any statements, we are left to speculate. My prayers are with Mr. Leonardo Baez and his family during this difficult time.”

ICE did not respond to questions regarding the arrests. Baez and Avila-Guel remain in federal custody.

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Disclosure: Facebook has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.


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This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/texas-immigrants-los-fresnos-rio-grande-valley-bakery-raid-harboring/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

The post ICE charges Texas bakery owners with harboring immigrants appeared first on feeds.texastribune.org

News from the South - Texas News Feed

San Antonio students research lunar habitats while inside the Cave Without a Name

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www.youtube.com – KSAT 12 – 2025-04-01 07:06:05

SUMMARY: San Antonio students are conducting pioneering aerospace research about lunar habitats in the Cave Without a Name, 80 feet underground near Bernie, Texas. They are developing lunar rovers that mimic those on the Moon and Mars, learning to navigate rugged terrain. Their studies include mapping the cave using laser technology to simulate lunar lava tubes, essential for potential moon habitation. Students aim to overcome technical challenges while collaborating on space-related projects. The effort fosters interest in space exploration, with hopes that their contributions will aid future lunar inhabitants. Some students will have their work published by local aerospace companies.

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Thirty San Antonio middle and high school students are conducting cutting-edge, collegiate-level aerospace research to learn how humans could live on the moon.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Grimes County escapee captured at north Houston motel

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www.youtube.com – KHOU 11 – 2025-04-01 06:42:48

SUMMARY: Grimes County inmate Scott Chapel, who escaped from a facility near Spring, was captured after 20 hours on the run. He was found in a motel room near Highway 249 in north Houston. Authorities, including the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, arrested him. Chapel, who had shown suicidal tendencies, was at a hospital when he escaped from the Cypress Creek Behavioral Health Center. Investigators are looking into how he managed to break free and whether security was compromised. Chapel, charged with sexual assault, is now in police custody. Further updates will follow as the investigation continues.

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Scott Sheffle was arrested at the motel near Highway 249 and the North Freeway.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Texas Longhorns end 22-year Final Four drought with win over TCU in Elite Eight

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www.kxan.com – Billy Gates – 2025-03-31 20:19:00

SUMMARY: The Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team is heading to the Final Four for the first time since 2003 after defeating TCU 58-47 in the Elite Eight. Texas outscored TCU 19-12 in the third quarter, with key contributions from Madison Booker and Jordan Lee. Despite TCU’s late run after Sedona Prince fouled out, Texas held strong, with Booker hitting a crucial shot and Rori Harmon adding a final jumper. Texas’ defense forced 21 turnovers, limiting TCU’s star Hailey Van Lith to 3-of-14 shooting. Booker led Texas with 18 points, and Harmon added 13. They will face South Carolina on April 4.

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The post Texas Longhorns end 22-year Final Four drought with win over TCU in Elite Eight appeared first on www.kxan.com

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