human smuggling Archives - San Antonio Report

A border patrol truck drives through a segment of the border wall in Brownsville, Texas.

Texas immigration law punishing smugglers critical to stem illegal immigration

by Javier F. Oliva March 12, 2024March 12, 2024

Commentary: By increasing punishment for smuggling, Senate Bill 4 would deter illegal immigration and result in less profit for smugglers.

Jesus Vasquez, originally from Honduras, lights candles at a makeshift memorial to the 53 people who died after human smugglers left them in a truck trailer outside San Antonio on hot day in June 2022. A new state law increases the minimum sentence for those convicted of human smuggling.

New state law increasing sentences for human smuggling takes effect

by Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune February 6, 2024February 6, 2024

Sacrificios is the title of this new mural dedicated to the 53 migrants who died in the sweltering heat trapped inside of a trailer on the Southside in June 2022. Four artists painted the mural in Mission County Park.

Mural at Mission County Park honors 53 migrants who died in 2022 tractor-trailer tragedy

by Raquel Torres February 6, 2024February 9, 2024

On the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of 53 migrants officials release the indictment which details that each of the migrants paid the equivalent of $12,000-$15,000 to individuals to help them cross the border.

4 additional arrests made in human smuggling tragedy that left 53 migrants dead

by Raquel Torres June 27, 2023June 28, 2023

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recaps the 2023 regular legislative session with Sherry Sylvester, distinguished senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, at TPPF headquarters in downtown Austin on May 30, 2023.

Abbott backs Phelan’s property tax cut plan, spurring ire from Patrick

by Joshua Fechter, Uriel J. García and Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune May 30, 2023May 31, 2023

Names of all 53 migrants found dead in San Antonio released

by Raquel Torres July 11, 2022July 11, 2022

Carlos, 26, lights a candle on Wednesday, June 29, at a memorial marking the site where dozens of people died in a tractor-trailer. Carlos emigrated from Guatemala in 2019 and said he felt the need to make the drive from Houston to pay his respects.

A Guatemalan migrant describes his own harrowing journey to the US: ‘Anything could happen’

by Raquel Torres July 7, 2022July 7, 2022

Carlos Reyes Jr. lights candles on Wednesday at a memorial marking the site where dozens of people died in a tractor-trailer.

Photos of the Week

San Antonio’s week in photos, June 27-July 3

by Bria Woods July 4, 2022July 3, 2022

People carry a cross made of balloons on Wednesday, June 29, to place at a memorial marking the site where dozens of people died in a tractor-trailer.

Nonprofits & Philanthropy

Local nonprofits assisting survivors of deadly smuggling case in San Antonio

by Raquel Torres July 1, 2022July 1, 2022

Candles illuminate a memorial marking the site where dozens of migrants died in a tractor-trailer in June.

Four charged in connection with deadly human smuggling case

by Raquel Torres June 29, 2022June 29, 2022