𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗜. 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗭 𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗥𝗚𝗩 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥

                                           

Gloria I. Chavez, a Brownsville native who led the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, was removed from her post earlier this month following an internal ethics investigation. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the dismissal stemmed from questions over her social connections and alleged acceptance of hospitality from influential figures with potential business interests linked to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General focused on Chavez’s relationship with Laredo businessman Eduardo Garza, CEO of Uni-Trade, and Francisco Javier González, a tequila distiller from Jalisco, Mexico. Chavez, along with other senior Border Patrol officials, was accused of attending multiple private gatherings hosted by Garza, including dinners, shuttle rides, and entertainment such as mariachi performances and comedy shows.

One reported trip took Chavez and Garza to Guadalajara, where they visited González’s distillery and discussed creating a commemorative “Border Patrol” tequila to mark the agency’s centennial. Photos from February show Chavez, CBP Chief Jason Owens, and Garza at the distillery, sharing birthday cake and cigars. Investigators are probing who covered the costs for these events and whether required disclosures were made, as CBP policy prohibits employees from accepting gifts or hospitality from those whose businesses are regulated by the agency.

Garza has denied providing transportation or lodging to Chavez or Owens, insisting the events were personal and unrelated to official duties. He also maintains he has no business with Border Patrol. However, the blurred lines between personal and professional relationships have sparked criticism from within the agency, with some agents calling the episode damaging to CBP’s public image.

Chavez, who joined the Border Patrol in 1995, had led the Rio Grande Valley Sector since October 2022, overseeing operations across more than 34,000 square miles. She previously served in leadership roles in multiple sectors, including El Paso, El Centro, and Spokane, and was once awarded the DHS Secretary’s Silver Medal. Her career included overseeing security along both the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders and contributing to CBP’s migration crisis response.

Her departure marks a dramatic end to a decades-long career and leaves the agency managing both the fallout from the investigation and the search for new leadership in one of the busiest sectors along the southern border.