AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces three of
Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders are back in custody following their recent
arrests. Authorities arrested Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives Juan Huerta and
Jesse Vega on March 26 and April 3, respectively. Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex
Offender Hayden Abel III was arrested on April 2, and a Texas Crime
Stoppers reward will be paid in his arrest.
Juan Carlos Huerta, 35, was taken into custody in Amarillo, Texas, by
members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, including
DPS Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agents. The Amarillo
Police Department assisted in the multi-agency investigation.
In 2016, Huerta was convicted of burglary of a habitation and subsequently
sentenced to four years’ probation. He had been wanted since December
2023, after multiple warrants were issued for his arrest out of Potter County:
one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, four counts of indecency
with a child by sexual contact and one count of indecency with a child by
exposure. More information on Huerta’s capture can be found here.
Jesse Mario Vega, 37, was taken into custody in San Antonio, Texas, by
members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, including DPS
CID Special Agents. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Office
of the Inspector General, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Attorney
General’s Office and Department of Homeland Security – Immigration
Customs Enforcement all assisted in the multi-agency investigation.
In 2005, Vega was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and
subsequently sentenced to two years confinement. In 2009, he was convicted
of aggravated robbery and subsequently sentenced to 25 years confinement
in a TDCJ prison. In May 2023, Vega was released on parole. Vega had been
wanted since September 2023 after a parole violation warrant was issued for
his arrest by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. More information on
Vega’s arrest can be found here.
Hayden Brince Abel III, 40, affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
gang, was taken into custody in Ingleside, Texas, by DPS CID Special Agents,
along with Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and the DPS Region 3 Special
Response Team.
In 2022, Abel was convicted of burglary of a habitation with the intent to
violate/abuse the victim sexually. He was subsequently sentenced to eight
years’ probation. Abel had been wanted since December 2023, after a
probation warrant was issued out of Kerr County for his arrest. Additionally,
the same month, a warrant was also issued out of Nueces County for his
arrest for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. More
information on Abel’s arrest can be found here.
Funded by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, Texas Crime Stoppers,
offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the
arrest of one of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. So far, in
2024, DPS and other agencies have arrested 13 Texas 10 Most Wanted
Fugitives and Sex Offenders, including seven sex offenders and five gang
members.
To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to
authorities using one of the following three methods:
Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).
Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you
have information about then clicking on the link under their picture.
Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the
“About” section).
All tips are anonymous—regardless of how they are submitted—and
tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name.
DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives
for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders Lists. You can find
the current lists—with photos—on the DPS website.
Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed
and dangerous.
(HQ 2024-016)
Concrete, Texas — As the sun climbed higher, casting a warm golden hue across the cemetery, the De Los Santos family knelt beside Esther’s grave. Armed with a hoe, a shovel and a shared determination, they meticulously tidied up her final resting place. Weeds were plucked, and rocks cast aside. Each grain of dirt dug or leveled felt like a whispered conversation with the earth—a way to stay connected to the woman who had shaped their lives.
The afternoon sun, now more intense, painted the gravestones with a soft glow. It was a beautiful day, and the family was thankful for the cool breeze. Their reverence deepened as they continued their quiet labor, honoring Esther’s memory under the Texas sky.
As the De Los Santos family assembled at San Pedro Cemetery, a tranquil haven nestled among ancient oaks and wildflowers, just a stone’s throw from Highway 183. Their purpose was both solemn and heartfelt: to pay tribute to their cherished matriarch, Esther De Los Santos, who had departed this world in August 2021.
The early afternoon light bathed the gravestones, casting long shadows as they gathered to honor Esther’s memory.
Esther loved music—the rhythmic melodies that carried her through life’s joys and sorrows. So, as the sun climbed higher, her children brought out a speaker. The familiar tunes of her favorite songs filled the air, and they said a quiet prayer asking forgiveness from any spirits disturbed by their music or their presence. They listened to the Spanish ballads reminiscing how she hummed while cooking, the lively rancheras or cumbias that made her dance in the kitchen, grabbing any one of her great grandchildren and making them dance with her. Tears mingled with laughter as they swayed to the rhythm, feeling her presence in every note.
The De Los Santos siblings encircled the grave, their voices overlapping like a patchwork quilt of memories. They shared tales of Esther’s strength and sassiness and her no-nonsense view on life—the way she stitched pieces of fabric for her Church quilts late into the night, her eyesight failing but her hands remembering the familiar patterns. They reminisced about her enthusiasm for trying out new recipes, her fun dinner parties with her family or friends. And they laughed, recalling her tendency to explain any comment that was met with disapproval, “All I said was…”.
As the sun reached its zenith, casting speckled shadows across the San Pedro Cemetery, the De Los Santos family paused from their labor. They had tended to Esther’s grave, pulling weeds and whispering memories. Now, it was time for a simple yet poignant ritual—a picnic lunch.
Underneath the protective canopy next to the San Pedro Historical Marker, they set out the folding table and chairs. They bowed their heads and prayed. Gratitude flowed—for Esther’s love, her sacrifices, and the legacy she left behind.
The air smelled of earth and history, and the gravestones stood as silent witnesses to generations past. Here, they sat, overlooking the graves of their ancestors—their grandfather, grandmother, and great-grandmother, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. Yes, their mother had approved San Pedro as her final resting ground. She would have joked that she was just a patch a personal family joke meaning she was an in law in this cemetery full of De Los Santos.
Each weathered headstone told a story, etched in lichen-covered stone.The oldest headstone of their family was of Catarina Garza De Los Santos, born in 1889, she had witnessed Texas transform from wild frontier to bustling state. Her life spanned eras—the clash of cultures, the rumble of wagons, and the birth of towns.
As the family stood there, bridging the gap between generations, they realized that love transcends time. Esther’s laughter echoed alongside Catarina’s quiet strength. The De Los Santos clan—linked by blood or marriage, laughter, and shared grief—had paid tribute not only to their mother but to the unbroken chain of love that stretched back to the 19th century.
And so, on that Mother’s Day, they left the cemetery with hearts full. Esther’s spirit danced among the wildflowers, whispering, “Remember me.” And they did—through stories, laughter, and the simple act of tending to the sacred ground.
Note: This story was submitted by the De Los Santos family. They continue to honor their ancestors, weaving their own stories into the rich tapestry of Texas history.
Cuero, Texas — In a captivating presentation titled “Selena in Texas History,” Dr. Cynthia Orozco, a distinguished historian and published author, recently took the stage at the Cuero Public Library. The event, held on a Saturday morning in April, drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to explore the intersection of music, culture, and heritage.
Dr. Orozco’s journey is deeply intertwined with Cuero. As a proud graduate of Cuero High School, she carries the spirit of her alma mater wherever she goes. Her passion for history led her to become a respected scholar, shedding light on the often-overlooked narratives of Mexican Americans in Texas.
The presentation delved into the life and impact of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the beloved “Queen of Tejano Music.” Beyond her chart-topping hits, Selena embodied cultural pride, and unapologetic authenticity. Dr. Orozco masterfully wove together Selena’s story with broader historical contexts, emphasizing her influence on Texas and beyond.
As a resident of both Ruidoso, New Mexico, and Cuero, Dr. Orozco bridges geographical boundaries. Her dual perspective enriches her scholarship, allowing her to connect dots across state lines. She shared anecdotes of her own journey—from the arid landscapes of Ruidoso where she did research and has extensive knowledge of Billy the Kid to the vibrant streets of Cuero—where history comes alive.
Books That Illuminate
Dr. Orozco’s literary contributions are as diverse as the Texas landscape. Her books resonate with readers seeking untold stories:
“No Mexicans, Women or Dogs Allowed”: A groundbreaking exploration of racial segregation and the fight for civil rights.
“Agent of Change: Adela Sloss-Vento”: A biography of a trailblazing activist who challenged discriminatory practices.
“Pioneer of Mexican American Civil Rights: Alonso S. Perales”: A tribute to a visionary leader who championed equality.
“Mexican Americans in Texas History” (Co-editor): An anthology that celebrates the multifaceted Texan identity.
A Texas State Historical Association Fellow
Moreover, Dr. Orozco has graced the airwaves, sharing her insights on Selena’s impact. She has made appearances on National Public Radio in Albuquerque and contributed to discussions about Selena’s cultural significance in the Texas Observer. As a Texas State Historical Association fellow, she actively contributes to preserving our state’s heritage. Her research, lectures, and community engagement exemplify the association’s mission: to honor the past while shaping a more inclusive future.
The audience enjoyed not only Selena’s legacy but also Dr. Cynthia Orozco’s talk about the need for a more inclusive history focusing not only on women but on minority women. Her words echoed through the library, reminding us that history is not confined to textbooks—it lives in the stories we tell, the melodies we cherish, and the dance steps that connect generations.
Dr. Orozco’s impact extends far beyond the library walls. She invites us all to celebrate Selena’s enduring influence and to continue writing our own chapters in the grand narrative of Texas.
Note: Dr. Cynthia Orozco’s presentation was made possible by the Cuero Public Library and the passionate community members who value the preservation of our shared history.
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Location: Downtown Cuero, Cuero Market Pavilion
Cuero is gearing up for an unforgettable evening—the Cuero Regional Hospital Community Street Dance! Mark your calendars for Friday, May 17, 2024, as the heart of downtown Cuero comes alive with music, laughter, and community spirit.
A Festive Celebration
This street dance is more than just a gathering—it’s a celebration of resilience, camaraderie, and the healing power of music. As part of Hospital Week, the event pays tribute to the dedicated healthcare professionals at Cuero Regional Hospital who tirelessly serve the community.
The Emotions Take the Stage
Get ready to groove to the soulful tunes of The Emotions, a live band that knows how to ignite the dance floor. With their infectious melodies and irresistible beats, they’ll have you moving and swaying all night long. From classic hits to contemporary favorites, The Emotions promise a musical journey that transcends time.
Free and Open to All
The best part? This street dance is free to the public! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Grab your lawn chairs and settle in for an evening under the stars. The Cuero Market Pavilion provides the perfect backdrop—a spacious, open-air venue where memories are made.
5D Travelin’ Tavern Food Trucks
Hungry? Fear not! The 5D Travelin’ Tavern Food Trucks will be parked nearby, serving up a delectable array of culinary delights. From savory tacos to sweet treats, there’s something for every palate. So, come hungry and savor the flavors of the night.
A Night to Remember
As the sun sets and the music fills the air, let’s dance, laugh, and celebrate life. The Cuero Regional Hospital Community Street Dance is more than an event—it’s a reminder that together, we can find joy even in challenging times.
Join us on May 17th, and let’s create memories that will echo through the streets of Cuero for years to come. See you there!
Note: Don’t forget your dancing shoes and your appetite—the Cuero Regional Hospital Community Street Dance awaits! 🎶🌟🕺🍔🌮
The Cuero High School Trotters Dance Team is a vibrant and talented group of students who bring their passion for dance to life. With a rich history spanning 50 years, they have become an integral part of the school’s cultural fabric.
As the audience was treated to an evening of entertainment, celebrating the team’s remarkable journey through the decades. The theme of the show, “50 Years of Fabulous,” encapsulated their dedication, creativity, and flair.
Exceptional Talent
The Trotters are more than just dancers—they are artists, athletes, and ambassadors of joy. Their commitment to excellence shines through every choreographed move, every synchronized step. Whether it’s jazz, hip-hop, or contemporary, their performances leave a lasting impression.
A Farewell to Mrs. Danielle Laird
Their show Friday evening at the Performing Arts Center had a bittersweet twist. Among the spotlight and sequins, there was a poignant moment—the announcement that Mrs. Danielle Laird, the team’s beloved coach and leader, would be leaving the Trotters. Why? Because she’s about to embark on a new adventure: motherhood! The team, while thrilled for her, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness. Mrs. Laird has been their guiding star, shaping not only their dance moves but also their character and resilience.
Emotional Moments
The Spring Show wasn’t just about dance; it was also an emotional experience. As the spotlight illuminated the stage, memories flooded back for both performers and audience members. Among those who felt the significance of the occasion was Mrs. Danielle Laird, the team’s dedicated coach and mentor.
Mrs. Laird has guided many dancers during her tenure over the Trotters dance team, nurturing their talent, resilience, and teamwork. Her unwavering support and belief in the Trotters have contributed to their success and legacy.
In the dimmed theater, as the final notes echoed, the audience applauded not only the dancers but also the spirit of unity and creativity that defines the Trotters.
Thank You, Mrs. Laird
As the curtain fell on the Spring Show, the Trotters gathered around Mrs. Laird. Their applause echoed through the auditorium, a heartfelt tribute to her unwavering dedication. They thanked her for countless hours of practice, for pushing them to their limits, and for believing in their potential. Mrs. Laird’s legacy extends beyond dance steps; it’s etched in the friendships forged, the dreams nurtured, and the confidence instilled.
Awards and Gratitude
Amidst the tears and smiles, Mrs. Laird presented certificates of recognition to some of the dancers. Each certificate carried a story—a memory of late-night rehearsals, of overcoming stage fright, and of triumphant performances. As they stood tall, their hearts full, relishing in the moment, they knew they were part of something bigger than themselves— the Cuero High School Trotters! a dance group connected by talent, dedication and a joy for dancing which spanned five decades.
As Mrs. Laird stepped off the stage, she left behind a legacy of passion, discipline, and love. The Trotters will miss her dearly, but they also know that her journey as a new mother will be just as extraordinary.
The Cuero High School Trotters Dance Team dances on, celebrating both the past and the future.
Pictured below are the newest members of the dance team.
Rainwater harvesting is a great way to help the environment and reduce your dependency on municipal water sources. Dry, hot summers and light winter rains have caused some Texas cities to enact water restrictions in hopes of preserving this precious resource. Luckily, Texas encourages residents to harvest rainwater to reduce the burden drought conditions cause Texas’ already limited water supply.
Why We Need to Harvest Rainwater in Texas
As Texas’ population continues to grow, maintaining a stable water supply is crucial. Drought conditions and excessive pumping of groundwater are impacting the water levels in aquifers. Texas started the year with notably low water levels with another hot, dry summer in the forecast. To alleviate the burden on overtaxed municipal water sources, Texans must increase their water conservation efforts, which include collecting rainwater.
Benefits of Harvesting Rainwater
Conserves water. • Can be used to water landscapes when outdoor watering restrictions are in place. • Rainwater has zero hardness and is healthier for plants. • Reduces your water bill. • Lowers demand on water resources. • Reduces the need for new water infrastructure (reservoirs) and extends the useful life of existing water resources such as aquifers and rivers. • Reduces stormwater runoff that can lead to flooding and groundwater pollution. • Acts as a backup source in case of emergencies. • The water is free!
How to Harvest Rainwater at Home
When planning to collect rainwater at home, consider these factors: 1. What is the average rainfall in your area? Use this resource to find your county and determine what your average rainfall is per year. 2. What is the surface area of your roof? The general rule is that for every 1,000 square feet of roof, you can collect 0.62 gallons of water per inch of rainfall. The calculation would be (square feet x 0.62 gal/inch x inches of rainfall/year). For example, for a 2,000-square-foot roof in Travis County where the average rainfall is 33.65 inches, 41,726 gallons of rainwater can be collected annually. 3. What will you use the rainwater for? Knowing what you plan to use the water for will help you determine how much water you’ll need to collect. This will help you decide what kind of infrastructure will work best for your needs.
The most common system for rainwater capture is a simple rain barrel placed under a downspout that catches rainwater runoff from roofs and gutters. If you want to learn how to build a rain barrel, watch this video. With a little upkeep, these rain barrels can supply safe, high-quality water for your yard. Follow the tips in this blog to learn how to keep your rain barrel clean. Larger tanks called cisterns can also be installed to collect even more rainwater. They are typically placed underground or partially underground and are made from durable materials such as concrete, fiberglass, and steel. Cisterns are usually built to hold thousands of gallons of water, whereas rain barrels are much smaller, holding roughly 50-100 gallons of water. Knowing how much water you’ll need and how much you can collect will help you determine which collection system is best for you. For more guidance on calculating your house’s potential for rainwater capture, read this blog.
Uses for Harvested Rainwater
TCEQ recommends using collected rainwater for outdoor use only, such as: • Landscape irrigation, like lawns and ground cover. • Watering indoor and outdoor plants, like shrubs, flowers, and trees. • Filling water fountains and other water features. • Washing cars. Note: Harvested rainwater may not be safe for consumption. Rainwater collected from roofs may contain bird droppings, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemicals that can make you sick. To reduce the risk of getting sick, the CDC recommends avoiding using harvested rainwater for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth.
How Texas Supports Rainwater Harvesting
Every year, Texas has a Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday during which you can purchase a rain barrel or alternative collection system without paying state sales taxes. Other water-efficient products, such as soakers, drip irrigation hoses, and moisture control irrigation systems are eligible—even plants, grasses, soil, and compost are included! Texas Property Code further promotes rainwater harvesting by preventing homeowner’s associations from prohibiting water capture systems. In addition to state incentives, many Texas municipalities also have financial incentives such as discounts and rebates to encourage Texans to collect more rainwater. Check out this blog to see if your city offers rainwater harvesting incentives and discover more ways Texas supports this practice.
The Lifeway Youth community recently transformed a Sunday morning into a celebration of food, fellowship, and philanthropy. They recently hosted a delightful brunch that not only tantalized the taste buds of attendees but also supported a cause close to their hearts.
A Feast for a Cause For a contribution of just $10, attendees were treated to a culinary delight. Each plate, heaped with hot, fluffy pancakes and savory sausage, and complemented by a glass of refreshing orange juice, was more than just a meal. It was a symbol of the community’s commitment to nurturing their youth.
A Sunday Well Spent Recognizing the hustle and bustle that often characterizes Sundays, the event offered the flexibility to enjoy the brunch in a manner that best suited the attendees. Whether they chose to dine amidst the lively chatter of the Lifeway community or take their meal to-go, the event catered to all preferences.
A Resounding Success The Lifeway Youth Fundraiser Brunch was a testament to the power of community. Every pancake served and every dollar raised brought the youth one step closer to their goal – an enriching camp experience. For more details about the event or to extend your support for future initiatives, feel free to reach out to the event coordinators, Greg or Linda Johnson.
A Note of Gratitude The Lifeway Youth Fundraiser Brunch extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone for their generous support. Your contributions have paved the way for our students to learn, grow, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s to more such delightful Sundays!
The Splash Pad project at Alexander Park is making significant progress, with construction advancing rapidly over the past few weeks. This project promises to be a major addition to the park and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.
Pools Unlimited, Inc., owned by Randy Morrow and based in Bulverde, Texas, was awarded the contract for this ambitious project. The company’s bid of $198,500 was the winning entry, receiving approval from the Cuero City Council at their meeting on March 25, 2024.
The splash pad has a functional and aesthetically pleasing design. It includes a spacious 31’x31’ area for water play, complemented by an 8’x15’ equipment room, which will be fully covered. For safety and visual appeal, ornamental fencing with gates will encircle the splash pad, and a 30’ sidewalk will provide easy access for all visitors.
The collaborative efforts of the city council and Pools Unlimited, Inc. have resulted in the creation of this new recreational facility. Once completed, residents of Cuero can look forward to a fun and refreshing way to beat the heat during the hot summer months.
Claudia González was 15 when she crossed the border into Texas to reunite with her mother. Now she’s back in Mexico, separated from her 15-year-old son and her husband in Houston.
TAMAULIPAS, Mexico — Claudia González was living a quiet, comfortable life in Houston with her husband and their son. She worked as a data entry clerk at an elementary school and went to church every Sunday with her son.
But something always nagged at her — her immigration status.
After crossing the border illegally as a teenager to rejoin her mother, she had lived undocumented in the U.S. for 15 years until she applied for a work permit through an Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2018. Even though the program gives recipients temporary protection from deportation, it is not a permanent solution for immigrants who want to live in the U.S. long term.
Because her husband is a U.S. citizen — citizens can sponsor a spouse for a green card — she hired an immigration attorney and paid about $6,000 in fees to apply for permanent legal residency in 2018. For González, it meant freedom from her greatest fear, being deported and separated from her family. And it meant “being legal in a country I call home,” González said.
In June, she traveled from Houston to Ciudad Juárez, where an American consulate officer interviewed her — she had to do this in Mexico because she didn’t have a legal entry into the U.S. But in August, five years after initially applying for her green card, she was hit with a 10-year ban from reentering the U.S.
“It was really hard to receive that message; I was heartbroken,” she said. “I thought about my son. He just started high school, so my thought was that he’ll be 24 by the time I can return and he probably already will have graduated college.”
González, 36, returned to the village where she grew up to live with her mother, Guadalupe González, 50 miles from the Texas border and near the Gulf of Mexico.
Like many undocumented people trying to legalize their immigration status — an estimated 11 million people live in the U.S. without legal status — González had to navigate a bureaucratic and expensive immigration system.
In her mind, it was a chance to correct the mistakes of the past, when her mother asked her to get in a car with strangers who drove her across the Rio Grande and helped her talk her way past U.S. immigration agents. She was 15 at the time.
But the current system can be fickle and unforgiving even for those who want to do it the right way. And unlike the criminal justice system, there is no way to appeal the 10-year ban, and immigration officials don’t have to provide the evidence they have to support their decision.
“It’s not fair and it’s not logical. it’s not something that anyone should go through if they want to get legal status in the U.S.,” said Naimeh Salem, an immigration attorney in Houston who recently took González’s case. “If they have never committed a crime in the U.S., they pay their taxes, they’re good citizens. Why can’t we make it possible for them to become permanent residents?”
Guadalupe González, her 66-year-old mother, said it weighs on her now, the situation she put her daughter in. She said she did it because she hoped her daughter would get a better education and have a chance at a more successful life in the U.S.
“I try to tell her positive things, and that everything has a solution, even though I too feel bad,” Guadalupe González said. “I try not to show the same emotions as her, because then we both end up crying.”
In January, Guadalupe González requested U.S. asylum after suspected drug cartel members began breaking into people’s homes; four years earlier her oldest son was kidnapped from the ranch where he worked by men the family believes were cartel members, in front of his wife and children. He hasn’t been heard from since.
Guadalupe González was allowed into the U.S. while her asylum case is pending and she moved to Bay City, 80 miles southwest of Houston.
Back in Houston, 15-year-old Gerardo Garza, Jr. is about to complete his freshman year of high school. He was born in Houston and he said he wonders why the immigration system has separated him from his mother. And if he’ll one day get to live with her again in Texas.
“I was just having a hard time accepting that she’s not with me,” he said. “I was in my head like: ‘Why? Why is the government like this? Why can’t it be simpler than it is now?’
Top: Claudia González left her 15-year-old son with his father in Houston while she lives in Mexico and tries to find a legal way to return to her family. Bottom left: González plays lotería with family after church in Tamaulipas. Bottom right: Bottle caps on lotería cards.
In October, Salem filed a request for humanitarian parole, which would allow Claudia González to reenter the U.S. and resubmit her green card application. The request remains pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Salem said there were better options for González, who as a DACA recipient could have applied for permission to travel to Mexico, then legally reenter the U.S. That would have allowed her to stay in the U.S. as she applied for her green card without having to go to Juárez.
González said she didn’t take that route because her previous lawyer advised against it. She said she trusted him. But now she regrets not pushing for that option.
“I feel so ignorant now. I should have done more research,” González said.
Now, three generations of the González family are separated as Claudia tries to find a way to reunite with her son in Houston and her mother awaits a decision on her asylum petition.
Life in Tamaulipas
For the past nine months, Claudia González has lived in a remote village where she grew up before leaving for Texas. She lives with her godmother, whose house is next door to her mother’s house.
It’s secluded, surrounded by undeveloped land, some farms and a few ranches — including the one where her missing brother worked. There is a convenience store, a taco restaurant and an evangelical church within a few minutes’ walk of the house. There’s a nearby school and a small plaza that stays mostly empty unless there’s a major celebration.
There’s’ very little work; many locals depend on money sent home by relatives working on the other side of the border.
The area is also a hot spot for drug cartel activity. Neighbors and González said at night, unmarked vehicles patrol the area — they suspect cartel members keeping an eye out for rival cartel members. It’s common to hear gunfire in the middle of the night, González said.
For a few months, starting in December, she worked at a local stationery store, but quit after receiving a phone call from a man who González said was threatening to shut down the store if it didn’t pay certain “fees.”
“That scared me and gave me a panic attack,” González said.
Claudia González visits a store near her home in Tamaulipas, roughly 50 miles south of the Texas-Mexico border.Claudia González visits with her neighbors in her Tamaulipas village. Her older brother was kidnapped from a nearby ranch in 2020 and is presumed dead. González and her neighbors say it’s common to hear gunfire at night. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune
Before being forced to move to Mexico, she had some money saved. She recently filed her U.S. taxes and received a refund. Once that money dries up, she doesn’t know what she will do, she said.
She spends most of her time researching ways to return legally. She’s contacted the office of a member of Congress in Houston asking for help. She also goes to church and plays lotería, a board game similar to bingo, with an aunt who lives in the same village.
On a Sunday afternoon in September, González wore a green dress and carried a Bible with a black leather cover as she walked the dirt road to the local evangelical church.
The pastor, Estela Prieto Covarrubias, 71, invited congregants to the podium to share a Bible verse or sing. González went to the front to read from Psalm 139. She told the congregation – about 40 people — that the verse helped her fight through her depression, especially after she was hit with the decade-long ban from the U.S.
“Sometimes I feel like I lost a lot of things,” she said through tears. “I lost my job, I am far from my son, but God is the one who has sustained me by his grace and with his mercy.”
The congregation applauded. Some shouted: Amen!
Covarrubias said she was impressed by González’s perseverance.
“I believe her testimony is impactful. She doesn’t look devastated,” Covarrubias said after her sermon. “Instead, you see her with an infectious smile, because she has faith in God who is going to open the door for her and put the right people in place to be able to fix her situation and return home with her son.”
Crossing the border
In 1998, Guadalupe González, then a single mom after separating from her ex-husband, who she said was physically abusive, got a tourist visa and began crossing the border to work in McAllen. She would leave Claudia with her sister and her brother-in-law, who had two children of their own. Her ex-husband took Claudia’s older sister and brother to Dallas.
On the weekends Guadalupe González would return to the village to visit Claudia, then relatives would drop her at the border on Sunday afternoons so she could return to work in Texas.
“I needed to pay for [Claudia’s] education and to feed her, that’s why I left,” she said.
When work slowed in McAllen, she said she headed north to Bay City and picked cotton for a few weeks before moving to Houston, where she worked at different restaurants before she started to clean houses in 1999. She would work two months at a time, then return to Mexico for a week at a time.
But the trips were tiring and time-consuming. So in 2003, she sent for Claudia. Her two older children, then 20 and 23 years old, had returned to Mexico and decided to stay.
An aunt dropped off Claudia González at the Texas-Mexico border where a coyote — a human smuggler — put her in a vehicle with a couple who drove her across the border. González said she remembers being in the car with the couple and two other children. She didn’t speak to the U.S. agent at the bridge and doesn’t remember what the adults told the agent about her, but she remembers the agent waving them through.
Guadalupe González, who remarried in 2005, said she didn’t know at the time how that car trip would affect her daughter’s future. She just wanted to be with Claudia in the U.S. and give her a shot at a good education.
“I thought as long as she didn’t cross the desert or get detained, everything would be fine,” she said.
Pastor Estela Prieto Covarrubias leads the worship at her church in Tamaulipas on Sept. 17, 2023. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas TribuneClaudia González sings at the church. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune
Building a life in Houston
At Ross Sterling High School in 2005, Claudia González met the boy she would marry. They sat at the same table in the cafeteria with mutual friends. She remembers him “acting like a clown to make me laugh.”
They began to date. Then she started attending an evangelical church with his family, she said. At first, it was just to spend more time with him, but eventually, she became a born-again Christian, leaving behind the Catholic traditions she grew up with.
When she was 17, Claudia González moved in with her boyfriend’s family. Her stepfather was physically and emotionally abusive toward her mother and she wanted to leave that environment, she said. She dropped out of high school, but earned her general educational development degree.
In 2009, the couple had a son, Gerardo Garza. Jr.
Meanwhile, Guadalupe González had separated from her second husband, and in 2011 she returned to Tamaulipas to take care of her father, who was battling pancreatic cancer. Her visa had expired, and there was no guarantee that U.S. officials would renew it, so she went back knowing she would likely not be able to return to Houston.
She took care of her father for 11 months before he died.
“I’m happy I was able to take care of him in his last days,” she said.
Interview in Ciudad Juárez
Claudia González stayed in Houston and built a life. She and her partner got married in 2013. She successfully applied for DACA in 2018, which allowed her to work legally in the U.S.
DACA also allowed her to get a Social Security number, pay taxes and get a Texas driver’s license.
She delivered food for DoorDash. She worked as a cashier at a Subway. Then she found a job she loved at an elementary school, as a data entry clerk. Her coworkers and the teachers soon came to depend on her to act as an interpreter for the Spanish-speaking parents of some of the students.
“I always wanted to make a difference and help people that don’t speak English,” she said. “My English is not perfect, you know, but I always tried to help them.”
Every Sunday morning, González and her son would go to church, then head to Olive Garden and share a plate of chicken fettuccine alfredo before ending the afternoon shopping for clothes at Goodwill.
“Those were our mommy-son dates,” she said.
Top: Claudia González speaks with church members after Sunday service. Bottom left: González and her mother, Guadalupe González, prepare breakfast at their home. Bottom right: González holds her chick, Mushito. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune
She was able to renew her work permit four times, paying $495 in fees each time. But she knew that if she wanted to be secure, she needed a green card. Her husband, who was born in Mexico and became a naturalized citizen, sponsored her.
She began the application process in 2019.
Back in Mexico, tragedy struck in April 2020. Claudia’s older brother, José Fabian, was kidnapped by suspected drug cartel members from the ranch where he lived with his wife and two children. He is presumed dead, but Guadalupe González clings to the hope that he is still alive. The family said they don’t know why he was targeted, but the rumor around town is that he was friends with someone who was involved with the local drug cartel.
“Sometimes I tell my daughter that she at least has a chance to see her son,” Guadalupe González said. “But what about mine? I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”
After her brother disappeared, Claudia González wanted to return to Mexico to stay with her mother for a while. She asked her lawyer to apply for what’s known as advance parole, which would have allowed her to leave the U.S. temporarily and return legally as a DACA recipient. Her lawyer told her it was too risky, she said, so she dropped the idea.
As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, her application seemed to be stalled in the immigration system bureaucracy. Finally last year, she received an appointment with an American consulate official in Ciudad Juárez.
Her lawyer at the time assured her everything would be fine and advised her to answer the questions honestly, without elaborating too much, she said.
In June, she traveled to Juárez with her son and met her mother and older sister there. They lived in a hotel for two weeks while she did two interviews with the same officer.
She told the officer how she entered the U.S. — by crossing an international bridge with a couple. She said the officer insisted on knowing who brought her into the country and how. González said she didn’t know the people who drove her across the bridge or what documents they presented on her behalf.
After the interviews were done she went to her mother’s home in Tamaulipas to wait for the decision.
On Aug. 28, 2023, González received an email from the U.S. State Department.
She said her heart dropped and tears started to roll down her cheeks when she read it: She was denied a visa and banned from entering the U.S. for a decade because she had lived in the U.S. for more than a year without legal status. They also accused her of lying to the consulate officer and claiming to be a U.S. citizen when she wasn’t.
Her aunt dropped the towels she had just folded and immediately embraced González.
González called her lawyer.
The lawyer told her that he wrote in her paperwork that she immigrated alone, González said. But she told the officer she crossed the border with strangers. She said she believes this discrepancy is what led to her being accused of lying. She insists that she never told U.S. officials that she was a citizen.
“God knows I never said that,” she said. Then her lawyer dropped her.
“He told me that this was out of his expertise and he couldn’t help me and wished me well,” she said.
Top left: Claudia González shares her story on a live stream with members of the Dreamers 2gether group. Top right: Guadalupe González holds a photo of her son, who hasn’t been heard from since he was kidnapped in 2020. Bottom: From left: Claudia González, her mother Guadalupe González, and her sister Ma Guadalupe González at their home in Tamaulipas. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune
Longing for his mother
Gerardo Garza, Jr. is a high school freshman now, living with his father in the south part of Houston. He plays viola in the school orchestra. Since he was separated from his mother, he texts and calls her often, sharing details about his day, his troubles with his now ex-girlfriend and how he has emotionally broken down at school.
The last time he saw his mother was in April, to celebrate his 15th birthday. His father drove him to the Texas-Mexico border, where Claudia picked him up and took him to the village. She had decorated an event hall with black, gold and red balloons and a neon sign that read, “mis quince” — my 15th.
Dressed in a brown button-down shirt, blue denim jeans and brown boots, Garza posed for a photo next to his mother in front of the balloons as music blared through the room.
They ate carne asada tacos.
“I felt at home, I knew everyone there loved me,” Garza said. “I knew it wasn’t much, but I knew my mom still tried to make it big.”
But when it was time to go home, he felt a punch in his gut, he said. His father picked him up at the bridge on the Mexican side. Garza said his father said something silly that made his mother smile.
Garza and his mother hugged, he said, as both held back tears. On the drive to Houston, he said he thought about his mother’s smile and his eyes started to water.
He put his sunglasses on, he said, so his dad wouldn’t notice he was crying.
He said he misses her a lot and reminisces often about the days they would spend together, especially those Sunday mornings when they would go to church and eat fettuccine alfredo at Olive Garden.
“I always smile and laugh when I remember those good times,” Garza said.
He’s had to learn how to take care of himself most of the time because his father works long hours as a welder.
He said he didn’t realize how much the household depended on his mother. She paid all the bills. She took him to school in the mornings. When his father can’t give him a ride to school he orders an Uber. Or a neighbor takes him.
There was a day recently when he missed his mother so much that he went into her closet and cried.
“My mom is really a good person, and I don’t think that she deserves any of this, or that we deserve any of this,” he said.
Twenty-five-year-old Jane Armstrong struggled to remain conscience as she made her way to her neighbor’s house praying someone was home. The pain was excruciating, and she knew the baby was coming, and that her child was waiting for no one. She felt the explosion of blood and amniotic fluid gushing out from her body and running down her legs. She knew she was losing a lot of blood and could feel herself getting weaker and weaker. With each step she took she was certain that someone would find her baby covered in blood and afterbirth and her heart sank because she was certain that this time, she wouldn’t live to see her baby grow up.
The doctor had warned her of these back-to-back pregnancies, and it seemed to Jane that they were blaming her for giving in to her husband’s desires. What could she do? She had no say in the matter. The year was 1960, and it was the law. Married women could not get birth control without the permission from their husbands. Despite the physical and emotional toll, the repeated pregnancies were taking on Jane, her husband who was deeply religious refused to allow her to use birth control. Each pregnancy left Jane feeling weaker, her spirit sinking into the depths of depression.
As she made one more painful step towards her neighbor’s house, she imagined that they would find her dead body next to her newborn baby somewhere between the tall grass behind her house that was never mowed or on the dirt road leading up to her neighbor’s either way she felt her life slipping away. She had lost a lot of blood.
Jane was found near death, and her doctors reported that it was a miracle she was alive. After that close call Jane’s parents, seeing their daughter’s suffering, stepped in to help. They provided the support she needed to make a difficult but necessary decision. With their assistance, Jane filed for divorce, a bold step for a woman in those times.
Jane’s memories often took her back to that time in her life, a time of both joy and sorrow. She was on her tenth pregnancy, a journey that should have been filled with anticipation and excitement. Yet, each of her previous pregnancies had ended in stillbirth, and her tenth pregnancy met with the same fate. It was a heartbreaking cycle of hope and despair.
The Jane’s of the world are now our grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Some still remember what it was like having to ask their husband permission to get on birth control. Or they may even recall how they could get fired for being pregnant or banned from certain jobs. And while this all sounds like issues young women faced from an era long ago, they could resurface especially if we do not learn from our own history.
Women have come a long way in gaining their rights, and it was not until the 1970’s that married women were allowed to seek birth control with the permission from their husband. Even if a woman was unprepared for childbirth or motherhood, or even if she had health issues or was recuperating from a previous pregnancy, birth control could be denied without the expressed consent of their husbands.
The journey of women’s rights in the United States has been a long and difficult one. They have spent many decades in their fight marked by persistent struggle and profound change. There was indeed a time when a woman’s autonomy was severely limited by laws and social norms that placed her under the guardianship of her husband or father.
Women’s legal status was largely dependent on their marital status, with married women having very few, if any, rights independent of their husbands. Her identity, property, and right to legal action were all controlled by the man she married. This included needing a husband’s permission for contraception, credit cards, and property ownership.
The mid-20th century brought significant changes, with the women’s rights movement gaining momentum and challenging the status quo. The introduction of the birth control pill in the 1960s was a watershed moment, providing women with unprecedented control over their reproductive rights. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that married women could get the pill without their husband’s consent.
Financial independence was another critical area of change. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 made it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on gender, race, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or because they receive public assistance. This law empowered women to obtain credit cards, loans, and mortgages without a male co-signer.
Imagine a world where you as a woman worked hard for your money. Doing whatever it is you do for gainful employment, and you really had your heart set on buying a new washer because you’re sick and tired of going to the laundromat. But because you are a woman you find yourself without rights to your wages. There was a time in American history that any earnings a woman made belonged to her husband. Unbelievable right? Well before women’s rights that was exactly how things were. It wasn’t until the Married Women’s Property Acts that women gained legal control over their property and earnings.
These milestones are part of a broader narrative of progress that includes the suffrage movement, which culminated in the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920, and the ongoing fight for equality in the workplace and beyond. The journey is far from over, and women could find themselves losing ground on that front and in as early as January 2025. It only takes one step backwards and before you know it women could lose it all from being stripped of their reproductive rights, to property rights to basic human rights.
Today, Jane Armstrong stands as a symbol of resilience and strength. Her story serves as a reminder of the struggles women have faced and the battles they have fought for control over their own bodies. It is proof of the power of the human spirit to endure, and to rise above adversity. Jane Armstrong, who is now 84 years old, divorced her husband and changed her religion.
The divorce marked a turning point in Jane’s life. It was a declaration of her fight for her own survival despite the social norms of that day, especially in a small town. It was a difficult journey, but one that Jane undertook with courage and determination. She continued to have faith in God and met her second husband at her new church. They married six years later and had two healthy boys. Jane Armstrong is not her real name, and her name has been changed to protect her privacy.
